Image-data recording and reproducing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image data recording apparatus includes a menu picture data managing section and a recording section. The menu picture data managing section operates for managing first menu picture data containing control information designed to allow switching from reproduction of first image data pieces to reproduction of second image data pieces or switching from reproduction of the second image data pieces to reproduction of the first image data pieces. The recording section operates for obtaining the first menu picture data from the menu picture data managing section, and for recording the obtained first menu picture data, the first image data pieces, and the second image data pieces on a recording medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for recording first image datapieces and second image data pieces on a recording medium. Thisinvention further relates to an apparatus for reproducing first imagedata pieces and second image data pieces from a recording medium. Thesecond image data pieces may be replaced by playlists used forgenerating the second image data pieces from the first image datapieces. For example, the first image data pieces are main image datapieces while the second image data pieces are digest image data pieces,that is, data pieces representing digests of pictures represented by themain image data pieces.

2. Description of the Related Art

Japanese patent number 3064975 (corresponding to Japanese patentapplication publication number 11-032288/1999) discloses a videoreproduction system in which main video programs are recorded on discsin casings, respectively. Product code words (reference marks) servingas IDs for the main video programs are printed on the related casings,respectively. There is another disc which stores short-story videosignals representing digests of the main video programs respectively.Each of the short-story video signals contains the reference mark forthe corresponding main video program.

In the system of Japanese patent 3064975, the short-story video programsare sequentially reproduced from the digest disc, and the digestsrepresented by the short-story video programs are sequentially indicatedon a display. During the sequential indication of the digests on thedisplay, a user actuates a selection key when the currently-indicateddigest is desired one. Upon the actuation of the selection key, thereference mark in the currently-reproduced short-story video signal isdetected. Among the casings of the main program discs, one is foundwhich has a product code word matching the detected reference mark. Themain video program is reproduced from the main program disc in the foundcasing, and is indicated on the display. In this way, the user can finddesired one among the main video programs by monitoring the digeststhereof. The desired main video program is indicated on the display.

The system of Japanese patent 3064975 includes a digest reproducingdevice for reproducing the short-story video programs from the digestdisc, and a main reproducing device for reproducing the main videoprogram from selected one of the main program discs. There is a switchfor selectively connecting the display to either the digest reproducingdevice or the main reproducing device. When the main video program isreproduced from the main program disc in the found casing by the mainreproducing device, the switch is controlled to connect the display tothe main reproducing device rather than the digest reproducing device toallow the transmission of the reproduced main video signal to thedisplay and the indication of the reproduced main video signal thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of this invention to provide an apparatus forrecording first image data pieces and second image data pieces (orplaylists used for generating the second image data pieces from thefirst image data pieces) on a recording medium in a manner such as toenable a data reproducing apparatus to smoothly implement switching fromthe reproduction of the first image data pieces to the reproduction ofthe second image data pieces or switching from the reproduction of thesecond image data pieces to the reproduction of the first image datapieces.

It is a second object of this invention to provide an apparatus forreproducing, from a recording medium, first image data pieces and secondimage data pieces (or playlists used for generating the second imagedata pieces from the first image data pieces) which can smoothlyimplement switching from the reproduction of the first image data piecesto the reproduction of the second image data pieces or switching fromthe reproduction of the second image data pieces to the reproduction ofthe first image data pieces.

A first aspect of this invention provides an image data recordingapparatus comprising a menu picture data managing section for managingfirst menu picture data containing control information designed to allowswitching from reproduction of first image data pieces to reproductionof second image data pieces or switching from reproduction of the secondimage data pieces to reproduction of the first image data pieces; and arecording section for obtaining the first menu picture data from themenu picture data managing section, and for recording the obtained firstmenu picture data, the first image data pieces, and the second imagedata pieces on a recording medium.

A second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an image data recording apparatus wherein the menu picturedata managing section operates for managing second menu picture datacontaining control information designed to allow starting reproductionof the first image data pieces or the second image data pieces from adesired point or to allow selecting desired one from the first imagedata pieces or the second image data pieces and starting reproduction ofthe selected desired image data piece, and wherein the recording sectionoperates for obtaining the second menu picture data from the menupicture data managing section, and for recording the obtained secondmenu picture data on the recording medium.

A third aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an image data recording apparatus further comprising adigest generating section for generating digest image data piecesrepresenting digests of pictures represented by the first image datapieces, and wherein the recording section operates for using the digestimage data pieces generated by the digest generating section as thesecond image data pieces.

A fourth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an image data recording apparatus wherein the controlinformation in the first menu picture data represents a command toobtain reproduced picture identifying information indicating whether animage data piece reproduced before visualization of a first menu picturerepresented by the first menu picture data is one of the first imagedata pieces or one of the second image data pieces; a command to obtainreproduction-suspension point information representing a position atwhich reproduction of the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture is suspended; and a command todecide a position, at which reproduction of the second image data piecesshould be started, on the basis of the reproduction-suspension pointinformation in cases where the reproduced picture identifyinginformation indicates that the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture is one of the first image datapieces, and decide a position, at which reproduction of the first imagedata pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduction-suspension point information in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thesecond image data pieces.

A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an image data recording apparatus further comprising afirst group generating section for classifying the first image datapieces into groups according to attribute information pieces about thefirst image data pieces, and for generating first list files mentioningthe first image data pieces in the respective groups; a second groupgenerating section for classifying the second image data pieces intogroups according to the first list files, and for generating second listfiles mentioning the second image data pieces in the respective groups;wherein the recording section operates for recording the first listfiles and the second list files on the recording medium.

A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the fifth aspect thereof,and provides an image data recording apparatus wherein the controlinformation in the first menu picture data represents a command toobtain reproduced picture identifying information indicating whether animage data piece reproduced before visualization of a first menu picturerepresented by the first menu picture data is one of the first imagedata pieces or one of the second image data pieces; a command to obtainreproduced group identifying information indicating a group having theimage data piece reproduced before visualization of the first menupicture; and a command to decide a group, from which reproduction of thesecond image data pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduced group identifying information in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thefirst image data pieces, and decide a group, from which reproduction ofthe first image data pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduced group identifying information in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thesecond image data pieces.

A seventh aspect of this invention is based on the fourth aspectthereof, and provides an image data recording apparatus wherein thecontrol information in the first menu picture data represents a commandto hold information indicating whether an image data piece, start ofreproduction of which is decided, is one of the first image data piecesor one of the second image data pieces.

An eighth aspect of this invention is based on the fifth aspect thereof,and provides an image data recording apparatus wherein the controlinformation in the second menu picture data represents a command tostart reproducing the first image data pieces or the second image datapieces from a desired group.

A ninth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof,and provides an image data recording apparatus wherein the controlinformation in the second menu picture data represents a command to holdinformation indicating whether an image data piece, start ofreproduction of which is decided, is one of the first image data piecesor one of the second image data pieces.

A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof,and provides an image data recording apparatus further comprising aninitial reproduction information generating section for generatinginitial reproduction information indicating whether the first image datapieces or the second image data pieces should be reproduced at the timeof reproduction of recorded data from the recording medium, and whereinthe recording section operates for recording the initial reproductioninformation generated by the initial reproduction information generatingsection on the recording medium.

An eleventh aspect of this invention provides an image data reproducingapparatus comprising a reproducing section for reproducing first imagedata pieces, second image data pieces, and first menu picture data froma recording medium, the first menu picture data containing controlinformation designed to allow switching from reproduction of the firstimage data pieces to reproduction of the second image data pieces orswitching from reproduction of the second image data pieces toreproduction of the first image data pieces; a display section forindicating contents of the reproduced first image data pieces, contentsof the reproduced second image data pieces, and contents of thereproduced first menu picture data; a menu indication inputting sectionfor inputting a request to indicate a first menu picture represented bythe first menu picture data; a menu control inputting section forinputting a request to select one from segments of the controlinformation, contents of which are indicated by the display section, anda request to decide the selection of one from the segments; and areproduction controlling section for controlling the display section toindicate the contents of the control information in the first menupicture data in cases where the first image data pieces are reproducedand then the contents of the first menu picture data are indicated bythe display section in response to a request inputted via the menuindication inputting section, and for controlling the reproducingsection to reproduce the second image data pieces on the basis of thecontrol information in the first menu picture data in cases where one isselected from segments of the control information, contents of which areindicated by the display section, and the selection of one from thesegments is decided by requests inputted via the menu control inputtingsection; the reproduction controlling section operating for controllingthe display section to indicate the contents of the control informationin the first menu picture data in cases where the second image datapieces are reproduced and then the contents of the first menu picturedata are indicated by the display section in response to a requestinputted via the menu indication inputting section, and for controllingthe reproducing section to reproduce the first image data pieces on thebasis of the control information in the first menu picture data in caseswhere one is selected from segments of the control information, contentsof which are indicated by the display section, and the selection of onefrom the segments is decided by requests inputted via the menu controlinputting section.

A twelfth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides an image data reproducing apparatus wherein thereproducing section operates for reproducing second menu picture datafrom a recording medium, the second menu picture data containing controlinformation designed to allow starting reproduction of the first imagedata pieces or the second image data pieces from a desired point or toallow selecting desired one from the first image data pieces or thesecond image data pieces and starting reproduction of the selecteddesired image data piece; wherein the display section operates forindicating the reproduced second menu picture data; and wherein thereproduction controlling section operates for controlling the displaysection to indicate the contents of the second menu picture data inresponse to a request inputted via the menu indication inputtingsection, and for controlling the reproducing section to startreproducing the first image data pieces or the second image data pieceson the basis of the control information in the second menu picture datain cases where one is selected from segments of the control informationin the second menu picture data, contents of which are indicated by thedisplay section, and the selection of one from the segments is decidedby requests inputted via the menu control inputting section.

A thirteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides an image data reproducing apparatus wherein thereproduction controlling section includes a memory and operates forcontrolling the reproducing section to suspend reproduction of a currentimage data piece in response to a request inputted via the menuindication inputting section, for generating reproduced pictureidentifying information indicating whether an image data piecereproduced before visualization of a first menu picture represented bythe first menu picture data is one of the first image data pieces or oneof the second image data pieces, for generating reproduction-suspensionpoint information representing a position at which reproduction of theimage data piece reproduced before visualization of the first menupicture is suspended, and for recording the reproduced pictureidentifying information and the reproduction-suspension pointinformation into the memory; and wherein the reproduction controllingsection operates for obtaining the reproduced picture identifyinginformation and the reproduction-suspension point information from thememory in response to a request inputted via the menu control inputtingsection, for deciding a position, at which reproduction of the secondimage data pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduction-suspension point information in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thefirst image data pieces, for deciding a position, at which reproductionof the first image data pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduction-suspension point information in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thesecond image data pieces, and for controlling the reproducing section tostart reproduction from the decided position.

A fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides an image data reproducing apparatus wherein thereproducing section operates for reproducing first list files and secondlist files from the recording medium, the first list files correspondingto groups respectively, the second list files corresponding to thegroups respectively; and wherein the reproduction controlling sectionoperates for controlling the reproducing section to reproduce ones amongthe first image data pieces in a reproduction order and for reproductionintervals prescribed by at least one of the first list files, and forcontrolling the reproducing section to reproduce ones among the secondimage data pieces in a reproduction order and for reproduction intervalsprescribed by at least one of the second list files.

A fifteenth aspect of this invention is based on the fourteenth aspectthereof, and provides an image data reproducing apparatus wherein thereproduction controlling section includes a memory and operates forcontrolling the reproducing section to suspend reproduction of a currentimage data piece in response to a request inputted via the menuindication inputting section, for generating reproduced pictureidentifying information indicating whether an image data piecereproduced before visualization of a first menu picture represented bythe first menu picture data is one of the first image data pieces or oneof the second image data pieces, and for recording the reproducedpicture identifying information into the memory; and wherein thereproduction controlling section operates for obtaining the reproducedpicture identifying information from the memory in response to a requestinputted via the menu control inputting section, for controlling thereproducing section to start reproducing the second image data pieces inthe same group as that having the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thefirst image data pieces, and for controlling the reproducing section tostart reproducing the first image data pieces in the same group as thathaving the image data piece reproduced before visualization of the firstmenu picture in cases where the reproduced picture identifyinginformation indicates that the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture is one of the second image datapieces.

A sixteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides an image data reproducing apparatus wherein thereproduction controlling section includes a first memory and a secondmemory and operates for controlling the reproducing section to suspendreproduction of a current image data piece in response to a requestinputted via the menu indication inputting section, for generatingreproduced picture identifying information indicating whether an imagedata piece reproduced before visualization of a first menu picturerepresented by the first menu picture data is one of the first imagedata pieces or one of the second image data pieces, for generatingreproduction-suspension point information representing a position atwhich reproduction of the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture is suspended, and for recordingthe reproduced picture identifying information and thereproduction-suspension point information into the first memory; whereinthe reproduction controlling section operates for obtaining thereproduced picture identifying information and thereproduction-suspension point information from the first memory inresponse to a request inputted via the menu control inputting section,for deciding a position, at which reproduction of the second image datapieces should be started, on the basis of the reproduction-suspensionpoint information and recording information indicative of start ofreproduction of the second image data pieces into the second memory incases where the reproduced picture identifying information indicatesthat the image data piece reproduced before visualization of the firstmenu picture is one of the first image data pieces, for deciding aposition, at which reproduction of the first image data pieces should bestarted, on the basis of the reproduction-suspension point informationand recording information indicative of start of reproduction of thefirst image data pieces into the second memory in cases where thereproduced picture identifying information indicates that the image datapiece reproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is oneof the second image data pieces, and for controlling the reproducingsection to start reproduction from the decided position; wherein thereproducing section operates for reproducing second menu picture datafrom the recording medium, the second menu picture data containingcontrol information designed to allow starting reproduction of the firstimage data pieces or the second image data pieces from a desired pointor to allow selecting desired one from the first image data pieces orthe second image data pieces and starting reproduction of the selecteddesired image data piece; wherein the display section operates forindicating contents of the reproduced second menu picture data; andwherein the reproduction controlling section operates for, in responseto a request inputted via the menu indication inputting section,deciding whether contents of the first menu picture data or the secondmenu picture data should be indicated by the display section dependingon the information in the second memory.

A seventeenth aspect of this invention is based on the sixteenth aspectthereof, and provides an image data reproducing apparatus wherein thereproducing section operates for reproducing first list files and secondlist files from the recording medium, the first list files correspondingto groups respectively, the second list files corresponding to thegroups respectively; wherein the reproduction controlling sectionoperates for controlling the reproducing section to reproduce ones amongthe first image data pieces in a reproduction order and for reproductionintervals prescribed by at least one of the first list files, and forcontrolling the reproducing section to reproduce ones among the secondimage data pieces in a reproduction order and for reproduction intervalsprescribed by at least one of the second list files; wherein thereproduction controlling section operates for obtaining the reproducedpicture identifying information from the first memory in response to arequest inputted via the menu control inputting section, for controllingthe reproducing section to start reproducing the second image datapieces in the same group as that having the image data piece reproducedbefore visualization of the first menu picture in cases where thereproduced picture identifying information indicates that the image datapiece reproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is oneof the first image data pieces, and for controlling the reproducingsection to start reproducing the first image data pieces in the samegroup as that having the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thesecond image data pieces; wherein the reproduction controlling sectionoperates for controlling the display section to indicate contents of thesecond menu picture data in response to a request inputted via the menuindication inputting section; and wherein the reproduction controllingsection operates for controlling the reproducing section to startreproducing the first image data pieces or the second image data piecesin a desired group on the basis of the control information in the secondmenu picture data in cases where one is selected from segments of thecontrol information in the second menu picture data, contents of whichare indicated by the display section, and the selection of one from thesegments is decided by requests inputted via the menu control inputtingsection.

An eighteenth aspect of this invention is based on the seventeenthaspect thereof, and provides an image data reproducing apparatus whereinthe reproduction controlling section includes a third memory andoperates for recording, into the third memory, information indicatingwhether an image data piece, start of reproduction of which is decided,is one of the first image data pieces or one of the second image datapieces when contents of the second menu picture data are indicated bythe display section; and wherein the reproduction controlling sectionoperates for, in response to a request inputted via the menu indicationinputting section, deciding whether contents of the first menu picturedata or the second menu picture data should be indicated by the displaysection depending on the information in the third memory.

A nineteenth aspect of this invention is based on the sixteenth aspectthereof, and provides an image data reproducing apparatus wherein thereproducing section operates for reproducing initial reproductioninformation from the recording medium, and the reproduction controllingsection operates for controlling the display section to first indicatecontents of the first menu picture data or the second menu picture datain accordance with the reproduced initial reproduction information.

This invention provides the advantages mentioned below. First image datapieces and second image data pieces are recorded on a recording medium.A request for indicating a reproduction change menu picture is inputtedin order to prepare switching between the reproduction of the firstimage data pieces and the reproduction of the second image data pieces.The reproduction of the current image data piece is suspended upon theinputting of the request. At this time, information is recorded whichrepresents whether the reproduction-suspended image data piece is one ofthe first image data pieces or one of the second image data pieces. Menupicture data is recorded on a recording medium. The menu picture datacontains control information which can allow reproduction to be startedfrom a position at which the reproduction of the image data piece issuspended. During the reproduction of the first image data pieces,information is recorded which represents that the first image datapieces are being reproduced. When a request for indicating a menupicture is inputted, the reproduction of the current first image datapiece is suspended. Then, information representing the position at whichthe reproduction of the current first image data piece is suspended isrecorded into a prescribed memory. Thereafter, the reproduction changemenu picture is indicated. When reproduction change is selected in theindicated reproduction change menu picture and this selection isdecided, the reproduction of one of the second image data pieces isstarted from a position corresponding to the position at which thereproduction of the first image data piece is suspended. Similarly,during the reproduction of the second image data pieces, information isrecorded which represents that the second image data pieces are beingreproduced. When a request for indicating a menu picture is inputted,the reproduction of the current second image data piece is suspended.Then, information representing the position at which the reproduction ofthe current second image data piece is suspended is recorded into theprescribed memory. Thereafter, the reproduction change menu picture isindicated. When reproduction change is selected in the indicatedreproduction change menu picture and this selection is decided, thereproduction of one of the first image data pieces is started from aposition corresponding to the position at which the reproduction of thesecond image data piece is suspended.

The first image data pieces may be main image data pieces while thesecond image data pieces may be digest image data pieces representingdigests of pictures represented by the main image data pieces. In thiscase, switching between the reproduction of the main image data piecesand the reproduction of the digest image data pieces is performedimmediately after the time point of the inputting of a request forindicating the reproduction change menu picture. The following actionscan be taken. The reproduction of the digest image data pieces whichallows a short-time grasp of the contents of the main image data piecesis started before the reproduction of the digest image data pieces isreplaced by the reproduction of the main image data pieces at a desiredpoint. The reproduction of the main image data pieces is started beforethe reproduction of the main image data pieces is replaced by thereproduction of the digest image data pieces at a desired point.

The first image data pieces (the main image data pieces) are classifiedinto groups according to attribute information pieces thereabout. Thesecond image data pieces (the digest image data pieces) are grouped inaccordance with the grouping of the first image data pieces. A group ofmain image data pieces having desired attributes can be found during thereproduction of the digest image data pieces. When such a desired groupof main image data pieces is found in this way, the reproduction of thedigest image data pieces can be replaced by the reproduction of the mainimage data pieces in the found group. Thereafter, the reproduction ofthe main image data pieces in the found group can be replaced by thereproduction of the digest image data pieces.

Thumbnail menu picture data representing a thumbnail menu picture isrecorded on the recording medium. The thumbnail menu picture data allowsstarting the reproduction of the first image data pieces or the secondimage data pieces from a desired point or a desired group. The thumbnailmenu picture data further allows starting the reproduction of desiredone selected from the first image data pieces and the second image datapieces. Initial reproduction information is recorded on the recordingmedium. The initial reproduction information prescribes that thethumbnail menu picture should be indicated first upon the start of thereproduction of recorded data from the recording medium. Thus, accordingto the initial reproduction information, the thumbnail menu picture isindicated first upon the start of the reproduction of recorded data fromthe recording medium. Then, the reproduction of the first image datapieces or the second image data pieces can be started from a desiredpoint. The thumbnail menu picture data contains control informationdenoting a command to record, into a memory, information representingwhether one of the first image data pieces or one of the second imagedata pieces is selected and reproduced. In the case where a request forindicating a menu picture is inputted after the original image datapiece is selected and the reproduction thereof is started, the thumbnailmenu picture is indicated. On the other hand, in the case where arequest for indicating a menu picture is inputted after a digest imagedata piece is selected and the reproduction thereof is started, thereproduction change menu picture is indicated. Thus, it is possible todesignate which of the reproduction change menu picture and thethumbnail menu picture should be indicated depending on whether theimage data piece selected in the reproduction change menu picture andthen reproduced is one of the first image data pieces or one of thesecond image data pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an image data recording apparatus according to afirst embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of main image data pieces, and anexample of the grouping of the main image data pieces.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of the structure of a main list file.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of the directory structure for datarecorded on a recording medium in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of main image data pieces in a firstgroup, and cuts extracted from the main image data pieces to form digestimage data pieces in the first group.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of main image data pieces in a secondgroup, and cuts extracted from the main image data pieces to form digestimage data pieces in the second group.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of main image data pieces in a thirdgroup, and cuts extracted from the main image data pieces to form digestimage data pieces in the third group.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example of the structure of a digest listfile.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example of a thumbnail menu picture.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an example of a reproduction change menupicture.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an example of the assignment of the 8 higherbits in a 16-bit command information piece to portions of commandinformation.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example of the logic states of 4-bit commandsused regarding button pictures in the thumbnail menu picture, and themeanings of the respective commands.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an example of the logic states of 4-bit commandsused regarding button pictures in the reproduction change menu picture,and the meanings of the respective commands.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the image data recording apparatus in thefirst embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a first segment of a control program for acomputer in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a second segment of the control program forthe computer in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of an image data reproducing apparatus according tothe first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the image data reproducing apparatus inthe first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a first segment of a control program for acomputer in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a second segment of the control program forthe computer in FIG. 18.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are a flowchart of a third segment of the controlprogram for the computer in FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of an image data recording and reproducingapparatus according to a second embodiment of this invention.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are a flowchart of a segment of a control program for acomputer in an image data reproducing apparatus according to a thirdembodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment

Each main image data piece represents pictures taken by, for example, avideo camera during every shooting. Each main image data piece may havesound-representing components and other-information-representingcomponents in addition to picture-representing components. The picturesrepresented by each main image data piece are moving pictures, stillpictures, or a mixture of moving pictures and still pictures. Each mainimage data piece is a main image data sequence, a main image data block,or a main image data file.

Digest image data pieces correspond to main image data pieces,respectively. Each digest image data piece is formed by a portion of thecorresponding main image data piece. Each digest image data piecerepresents a digest of pictures represented by the corresponding mainimage data piece. Each digest image data piece may havesound-representing components and other-information-representingcomponents in addition to picture-representing components. The picturedigest represented by each digest image data piece means a digest ofmoving pictures, a digest of still pictures, or a digest of a mixture ofmoving pictures and still pictures. Each digest image data piece is adigest image data sequence, a digest image data block, or a digest imagedata file.

Main image data pieces are referred to as first image data pieces also.Digest image data pieces are referred to as second image data piecesalso. The second image data pieces correspond to the first image datapieces, respectively. Each second image data piece is formed by aportion of the corresponding first image data piece.

FIG. 1 shows an image data recording apparatus 10 according to a firstembodiment of this invention. It should be noted that a portion of FIG.1 shows the operation of the image data recording apparatus 10 ratherthan the hardware structure thereof. The image data recording apparatus10 serves to record main image data pieces, main list files, digest listfiles, thumbnail menu picture data, reproduction change menu picturedata, and initial reproduction information on a recording medium 18.

With reference to FIG. 1, there are an image data inputting section 1 1,a clock 12, a group generating section 13, a digest generating section14, a menu picture data managing section 15, an initial reproductioninformation generating section 16, and a recording section 17.

Each main image data piece is inputted to the image data inputtingsection 11. By referring to the output signal from the clock 12, theimage data inputting section 11 detects the date and time (the inputtingdate and time) at which each main image data piece is inputted thereto.The image data inputting section 11 adds, to the inputted main imagedata piece, an information piece representing the inputting date andtime and an information piece representing the file name or the IDnumber of the inputted main image data piece. The image data inputtingsection 11 sends the resultant main image data piece to the groupgenerating section 13 and the recording section 17.

The group generating section 13 successively receives main image datapieces from the image data inputting section 11. The group generatingsection 13 classifies the received main image data pieces into groupsaccording inputting date and time. The group generating section 13generates main list files for the respective groups. The groupgenerating section 13 assigns different ID numbers (different filenames) to the generated main list files respectively. Each main listfile is a list of the file names (or the ID numbers) of main image datapieces belonging to the corresponding group. The group generatingsection 13 notifies the generated main list files to the digestgenerating section 14, the menu picture data managing section 15, andthe recording section 17.

The digest generating section 14 generates digest list files on thebasis of the main list files for the groups, respectively. The digestgenerating section 14 assigns different ID numbers (different filenames) to the generated digest list files respectively. Each of thedigest list files is a list of the addresses (the positions) of digestsegments, that is, portions of the main image data pieces which are tobe used as digest image data pieces. The digest generating section 14notifies the generated digest list files to the menu picture datamanaging section 15 and the recording section 17.

The ID numbers of a main list file and a digest list file correspondingto a same group have the following relation. The ID number of the digestlist file is equal to the ID number of the main list file plus “100”.Thus, the ID number of the main list file is equal to the ID number ofthe digest list file minus “1100”. For example, when the ID number ofthe main list file plus is “001”, the ID number of the digest list fileis “101”.

The digest generating section 14 may actually generate digest image datapieces from the main image data pieces. In this case, the digestgenerating section 14 sends the generated digest image data pieces tothe recording section 17.

The menu picture data managing section 15 generates reproduction changemenu picture data and thumbnail menu picture data on the basis of themain list files and the digest list files. The reproduction change menupicture data has a main portion representing a reproduction change menupicture and a sub portion including control information. The thumbnailmenu picture data has a main portion representing a thumbnail menupicture and a sub portion including control information. The menupicture data managing section 15 sends the reproduction change menupicture data and the thumbnail menu picture data to the recordingsection 17.

The initial reproduction information generating section 16 generatesinitial reproduction information inclusive of control information. Theinitial reproduction information is designed for use by an image datareproducing apparatus when recorded data is reproduced from therecording medium 18 for the first time or when a command to indicate amenu is inputted into the image data reproducing apparatus. The initialreproduction information forms computer program portions which can beused by the image data reproducing apparatus. The initial reproductioninformation generating section 16 sends the initial reproductioninformation to the recording section 17.

The recording section 17 records the main image data pieces, the mainlist files, the digest list files, the reproduction change menu picturedata, the thumbnail menu picture data, and the initial reproductioninformation on the recording medium 18. The recording section 17 mayfurther record the digest image data pieces on the recording medium 18.

The recording medium 18 is provided in the image data recordingapparatus 10. The recording medium 18 may be provided outside the imagedata recording apparatus 10. The recording medium 18 is removable orunremovable from the body of the image data recording apparatus 10.Examples of the recording medium 18 are a hard disc, a DVD, a Blu-raydisc, another optical disc, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory, and amemory medium.

The grouping of the main image data pieces may be omitted from operationof the image data recording apparatus 10. The grouping of the main imagedata pieces may be implemented by an apparatus different from the imagedata recording apparatus 10. In these cases, the group generatingsection 13 is omitted from the image data recording apparatus 10.

The digest list file may be generated by an apparatus different from theimage data recording apparatus 10. In this case, the digest generatingsection 14 is omitted from the image data recording apparatus 10.

A more detailed description of the image data recording apparatus 10will follow. In the case where the image data recording apparatus 10 isprovided in a digital camera or a digital video camera, the image datainputting section 11 includes an imager and an encoder. The imager has alens and an imaging element array provided with a CCD or CMOS array. Theimager generates signal data representing captured images. The encoderencodes the signal data generated by the imager into a main image datapiece.

The image data inputting section 11 may be designed to read imagesignals from a recording medium other than the recording medium 18 andencode the read image signals into main image data pieces respectively.In this case, the image data inputting section 11 includes an accessingunit for successively reading recorded signals from the recordingmedium. The accessing unit is a magnetic head when the recording mediumis a hard disc. The accessing unit is an optical pickup when therecording medium is an optical disc. The accessing unit is a reader whenthe recording medium is a memory. The image data inputting section 11further includes a unit for controlling the position of the accessingunit relative to the recording medium, a motor for rotating therecording medium, a unit for controlling rotation of the motor (that is,rotation of the recording medium), a signal processor for subjectingevery signal read from the recording medium by the accessing unit todemodulation, and an encoder for encoding every demodulation-resultsignal into a main image data piece in conformity with the MPEG2standards or the MPEG4-AVC/H.264 standards.

The image data inputting section 11 may be designed to receive codedimage data pieces from an apparatus other than the image data recordingapparatus 10 as main image data pieces. In this case, the image datainputting section 11 includes an interface of the Ethernet type or theUSB type.

The image data inputting section 11 may be designed to read main imagedata pieces from the recording medium 18. In this case, the image datainputting section 11 includes a reproducing device for reading the mainimage data pieces from the recording medium 18.

For every inputted main image data piece, the image data inputtingsection 11 obtains a date and time information piece from the clock 12.The obtained date and time information piece represents the date andtime (the inputting date and time) at which the main image data piece isinputted to the image data inputting section 11. The image datainputting section 11 places the date and time information piece in afield prescribed by a data recording format for the recording medium 18or a picture format. Examples of the field is a header of the main imagedata piece or a prescribed area in a management information file.

The inputting date and time may be replaced by the recording date andtime. Specifically, the image data inputting section 11 obtains a dateand time information piece from the clock 12 each time the recordingsection 17 records a main image data piece on the recording medium 18.In this case, the obtained date and time information piece representsthe date and time (the recording date and time) at which the main imagedata piece is recorded on the recording medium 18. The image datainputting section 11 places the date and time information piece in thepreviously-mentioned field.

In the case where the header of each inputted main image data piecealready has the date and time information piece representing theinputting date and time or the recording date and time, it isunnecessary to obtain a new date and time information piece from theclock 12 and place the new date and time information piece in thepreviously-mentioned field. In this case, the clock 12 may be omittedfrom the image data recording apparatus 10.

The image data inputting section 11 successively sends main image datapieces inclusive of respective date and time information pieces to thegroup generating section 13.

The group generating section 13 classifies the main image data piecesfrom the image data inputting section 11 into groups according to thedate and time information pieces therein.

With reference to FIG. 2, there are main image data pieces “1”, “2”, . .. , and “10” arranged in the order of date and time and each having aheader and an image data storing area following the header. The headersof the main image data pieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and “10” store date andtime information pieces, respectively. Each of the date and timeinformation pieces represents the inputting date and time or therecording date and time of the corresponding main image data piece. Thegroup generating section 13 obtains the date and time information piecesfrom the headers of the main image data pieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and“10”, and classifies the main image data pieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and“10” into groups according to the dates and times represented by thedate and time information pieces therein. The classification is on aday-dependent basis. Specifically, the main image data pieces “1”, “2”,“3”, “4”, and “5” each having a date and time in a day of Sep. 27, 2007are separated into a first group. The main image data pieces “6”, “7”,and “8” each having a date and time in a day of Sep. 28, 2007 areseparated into a second group. The main image data pieces “9” and “10”each having a date and time in a day of Sep. 29, 2007 are separated intoa third group.

The main image data pieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and “10” may be grouped inone of the following other ways. In the first other way, the main imagedata pieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and “10” are classified into 6 groupscorresponding to the morning of Sep. 27, 2007, the afternoon of Sep. 27,2007, the morning of Sep. 28, 2007, the afternoon of Sep. 28, 2007, themorning of Sep. 29, 2007, and the afternoon of Sep. 29, 2007respectively. In the second other way, the main image data pieces “1”,“2”, . . . , and “10” are classified into groups corresponding todifferent fixed time ranges respectively.

In the third other way, the main image data pieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and“10” are classified into groups according to the intervals in date andtime therebetween. The inputting or recording dates and times of themain image data pieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and “10” are labeled as thestarting dates and times thereof. The play times of the main image datapieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and “10” are detected. The ending dates andtimes of the main image data pieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and “10” arecalculated by adding the detected play times to the starting dates andtimes. The time intervals between the main image data pieces “1”, “2”, .. . , and “10” are calculated by subtracting the ending dates and timesfrom the subsequent starting dates and times. For example, when the mainimage data piece “1” has a play time of 2 minutes and 30 seconds, theending date and time of the main image data piece “1” is equal to15-hour 15-minute 10-second in Sep. 27, 2007, that is, 2 minutes and 30seconds plus 15-hour 12-minute 40-second in Sep. 27, 2007 (the startingdate and time). The starting date and time of the main image data piece“2” is 16-hour 22-minute 3-second in Sep. 27, 2007. The differencebetween the ending date and time of the main image data piece “1” andthe starting date and time of the main image data piece “2” is equal to1 hour, 6 minutes, and 53 seconds. This difference is labeled as theinterval between the main image data pieces “1” and “2”. The intervalsbetween the main image data pieces “1”, “2”, . . . , and “10” arecompared with a fixed value equal to, for example, 6 hours or 12 hours.Preferably, a signal representing the fixed value is stored in a memoryprovided in the group generating section 13. When the interval betweentwo neighboring main image data pieces is equal to or greater than thefixed value, the main image data pieces are separated into differentgroups respectively. On the other hand, when the interval between twoneighboring main image data pieces is smaller than the fixed value, themain image data pieces are placed in a same group.

The image data recording apparatus 10 may be provided with a GPSreceiver. In this case, for every generated main image data piece, theimage data inputting section 11 obtains a positional information piecefrom the GPS receiver. The obtained positional information piecerepresents the position (the shooting position) at which the shooting togenerate the main image data piece is performed. The image datainputting section 11 places the positional information piece in thepreviously-mentioned field. In this case, the group generating section13 may classify the main image data pieces from the image data inputtingsection 11 into groups according to the positional information piecestherein rather than the date and time information pieces. Specifically,the group generating section 13 computes the distances among theshooting positions of the main image data pieces. The group generatingsection 13 compares the computed distances with a fixed value.Preferably, a signal representing the fixed value is stored in a memoryprovided in the group generating section 13. When the distance betweenthe shooting positions of two main image data pieces is equal to greaterthan the fixed value, the main image data pieces are separated intodifferent groups respectively. On the other hand, when the distancebetween the shooting positions of two main image data pieces is smallerthan the fixed value, the main image data pieces are placed in a samegroup.

The image data recording apparatus 10 may be provided with an operationunit which can be actuated by a user. In this case, for each main imagedata piece, the user inputs an attribute information piece into theimage data recording apparatus 10 by actuating the operation unit. Theattribute information piece represents the quality of images representedby the main image data piece and the type of the main image data piece.In this case, the group generating section 13 may classify the mainimage data pieces from the image data inputting section 11 into groupsaccording to the attribute information pieces rather than the date andtime information pieces.

It should be noted that the date and time information pieces may beincorporated into the attribute information pieces. In this case, thegroup generating section 13 classifies the main image data pieces intogroups according to the attribute information pieces.

The grouping of main image data pieces may be designed so that thenumber of main image data pieces in each group will always be equal to apredetermined value (for example, 10). The grouping of main image datapieces may be designed so that the main image data pieces will beseparated into a predetermined number of groups, and that the number ofmain image data pieces in each of the groups will be equal to a samevalue. Preferably, a signal representing the predetermined group numberis stored in a memory provided in the group generating section 13. Mainimage data pieces may be separated into groups so that the number ofmain image data pieces in each of the groups will be approximately equalto a same value. Preferably, a signal representing the same value isstored in a memory provided in the group generating section 13.

The group generating section 13 generates main list files for therespective groups, and records the generated main list files on therecording medium 18 through the use of the recording section 17. Themain list files have a predetermined format or structure. The groupgenerating section 13 gives different file names (or different IDnumbers) to the main list files respectively. For example, the groupgenerating section 13 gives the file name “list file 001” to the mainlist file for the first group.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the structure of the main list file for thefirst group in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the main list file is dividedinto sequentially-arranged segments representing “5” (the number of themain image data pieces in the first group), the file name of the mainimage data piece “1” (the file name of the first one among the mainimage data pieces in the first group), “0:00-2:30” (the reproductionrange for the first one among the main image data pieces in the firstgroup), the file name of the second one among the main image data piecesin the first group, the reproduction range for the second one among themain image data pieces in the first group, . . . , the file name of themain image data piece “5” (the file name of the last one among the mainimage data pieces in the first group), and “0:00-3:10” (the reproductionrange for the last one among the main image data pieces in the firstgroup), respectively.

In each main list file, the file names of the main image data pieces maybe replaced by information pieces for identifying the main image datapieces. In each main list file, the file names of the main image datapieces may be replaced by information pieces representing theon-recording-medium places in which the main image data pieces arerecorded respectively. In each main list file, the file names of themain image data pieces may be replaced by the file name of another filestoring information pieces for identifying the main image data pieces.

The reproduction range for a main image data piece means thereproduction interval or the play interval between the start of thereproduction (playback) of the main image data piece and the endthereof. The reproduction range may be the on-file position of the mainimage data piece. The reproduction range may be the number of bytes, thenumber of GOPs, or the number of frames of the main image data piecewhich is measured from its head. The reproduction range may be the timeelapsed from the moment corresponding to the head of the main image datapiece.

The reproduction range for a main image data piece may be expressed by apair of the reproduction start position and the reproduction endposition. The reproduction range may be expressed by a pair of thereproduction start position and the length of the reproduction intervalwithout using the reproduction end position.

In the case where each main image data piece is always reproduced fromits head to its tail, the reproduction ranges may be omitted from themain list files.

The group generating section 13 gives the file name “list file 002” tothe main file list for the second group. The main list file for thesecond group in FIG. 2 is divided into sequentially-arranged segmentsrepresenting “3” (the number of the main image data pieces in the secondgroup), the file name of the main image data piece “6” (the file name ofthe first one among the main image data pieces in the second group), thereproduction range for the first one among the main image data pieces inthe second group, the file name of the second one among the main imagedata pieces in the second group, the reproduction range for the secondone among the main image data pieces in the second group, . . . , thefile name of the main image data piece “8” (the file name of the lastone among the main image data pieces in the second group), and thereproduction range for the last one among the main image data pieces inthe second group, respectively.

The group generating section 13 gives the file name “list file 003” tothe main file list for the third group. The main list file for the thirdgroup in FIG. 2 is divided into sequentially-arranged segmentsrepresenting “2” (the number of the main image data pieces in the thirdgroup), the file name of the main image data piece “9” (the file name ofthe first one among the main image data pieces in the third group), thereproduction range for the first one among the main image data pieces inthe third group, the file name of the main image data piece “10” (thefile name of the last one among the main image data pieces in the thirdgroup), and the reproduction range for the last one among the main imagedata pieces in the third group, respectively.

As previously mentioned, the group generating section 13 generates themain list files for the respective groups, and records the generatedmain list files on the recording medium 18 through the use of therecording section 17.

The order along which the file names and the reproduction ranges aresequentially arranged in each main list file will be used as the orderof sequential reproduction of the main image data pieces mentionedtherein.

With reference to FIG. 4, the recording medium 18 is provided with aroute directory under which a list information directory and an imagedata directory are located. Preferably, the main list files are recordedon a recording-medium domain under the list information directory.

The digest generating section 14 generates digest list files for therespective groups on the basis of the main list files generated by thegroup generating section 13. The structure of the digest list files issimilar to that of the main list files. The digest generating section 14records the digest list files on the recording medium 18 through the useof the recording section 17. Preferably, the digest list files arerecorded on the recording-medium domain under the list informationdirectory as shown in FIG. 4.

Digest image data pieces are formed by extracting portions from the mainimage data pieces. The portions are called the cuts also. The extractedportions or cuts are sequentially connected to form a sequence of thedigest image data pieces. The contents of the sequence of the digestimage data pieces are continuously reproduced or played back.

The digest generating section 14 sets a total digest play time to aprescribed value equal to, for example, 1 minute. The digest generatingsection 14 may set the total digest play time depending on the totalplay time of the main image data pieces.

The image data recording apparatus 10 may be provided with a display inaddition to the operation unit. Numeral keys may be formed on theoperation unit. In this case, the total digest play time may be decidedby actuating the numeral keys on the operation unit.

The image data recording apparatus 10 may be provided with a GUI(Graphical User Interface) associated with the operation unit and thedisplay. In this case, the operation unit has selection keys and adecision key. The selection keys are, for example, cross keys. AGUI-based picture for inputting the total digest play time is indicatedon the display. The selection keys and the decision key on the operationunit are actuated to decide the total digest play time.

The digest generating section 14 distributes the total digest play timeto the groups. Preferably, the distribution of the total digest playtime to the groups depends on the ratio in play time among the groups.As shown in FIG. 5, the sum of the play times of the main image datapieces “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, and “5” in the first group is equal to 15minutes. As shown in FIG. 6, the sum of the play times of the main imagedata pieces “6”, “7”, and “8” in the second group is equal to 10minutes. As shown in FIG. 7, the sum of the play times of the main imagedata pieces “9” and “10” in the third group is equal to 5 minutes.Accordingly, the ratio in play time among the first, second, and thirdgroups is 3:2:1. The digest generating section 14 divides a total digestplay time of 1 minute (60 seconds) into 30 seconds, 20 seconds, and 10seconds in accordance with the above-indicated ratio “3:2:1”. The digestgenerating section 14 assign 30 seconds, 20 seconds, and 10 seconds tothe first, second, and third groups respectively as per-group digestplay times. Preferably, one cut has a play time of 5 seconds. In thiscase, the digest generating section 14 assigns 6 cuts, 4 cuts, and 2cuts to the first, second, and third groups, respectively.

The digest generating section 14 may set the play time of one cut to avalue depending on the total play time of the main image data pieces inall the groups. The play time of one cut may be decided by the userthrough the actuation of the numeral keys on the operation unit.

For each of the groups, the digest generating section 14 decidespositions in the in-group main image data pieces from which cuts shouldbe extracted respectively. Specifically, for each of the groups, thedigest generating section 14 virtually connects the in-group main imagedata pieces in series. Then, the digest generating section 14 decidesequally-spaced positions in the series of the in-group main image datapieces to be positions from which cuts should be extracted. The firstone of the equally-spaced positions coincides with the position of thehead of the series.

As previously mentioned, for the first group, the sum of the play timesof the in-group main image data pieces is equal to 15 minutes, and 6cuts should be extracted from the in-group main image data pieces. Thus,as shown in FIG. 5, the digest generating section 14 decides 6 positionsin the series of the in-group main image data pieces to be those fromwhich 6 cuts should be extracted respectively. The 6 positions arespaced at intervals of 2 minutes and 30 seconds, and start from the headof the series. Each of the cuts has a play time of 5 seconds.

For the second group, the sum of the play times of the in-group mainimage data pieces is equal to 10 minutes, and 4 cuts should be extractedfrom the in-group main image data pieces. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, thedigest generating section 14 decides 4 positions in the series of thein-group main image data pieces to be those from which 4 cuts should beextracted respectively. The 4 positions are spaced at intervals of 2minutes and 30 seconds, and start from the head of the series. Each ofthe cuts has a play time of 5 seconds.

For the third group, the sum of the play times of the in-group mainimage data pieces is equal to 5 minutes, and 2 cuts should be extractedfrom the in-group main image data pieces. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, thedigest generating section 14 decides 2 positions in the series of thein-group main image data pieces to be those from which 2 cuts should beextracted respectively. The 2 positions are spaced at an interval of 2minutes and 30 seconds, and start from the head of the series. Each ofthe cuts has a play time of 5 seconds.

The digest generating section 14 may actually extract the cuts from thein-group main image data pieces, and connect the extracted cuts inseries to generate an actual digest image data piece for each of thefirst, second, and third groups. In this case, the digest generatingsection 14 re-encodes the series of the extracted cuts to generateactual data forming the digest image data piece for each of the first,second, and third groups. The digest generating section 14 sends thegenerated digest image data pieces to the recording section 17.

Preferably, instead of generating actual data forming the digest imagedata piece for the first group, the digest generating section 14generates a digest list file having a structure shown in FIG. 8. Thedigest list file structure in FIG. 8 is similar to the main list filestructure in FIG. 3. The digest generating section 14 gives the filename “list file 101” to the digest list file for the first group. Withreference to FIG. 8, the digest list file has segments representing thenumber of cuts for the first group, the sequentially-arranged file namesof the main image data pieces from which the cuts should be extracted,and the sequentially-arranged reproduction ranges for the cuts. Thus,the digest list file mentions the digest image data pieces (the cuts tobe extracted from the main image data pieces). In the digest list file,the file names of the main image data pieces may be replaced byinformation pieces for identifying the main image data pieces. Thereproduction range for a cut means the reproduction interval or the playinterval between the start of the reproduction (playback) of thecorresponding portion of the original main image data piece and the endthereof. Preferably, the reproduction range is expressed by the on-fileposition of the corresponding portion of the original main image datapiece. In the case where the play time of each cut is set to 5 seconds,each reproduction range may be expressed by only the reproduction startposition. In this case, an image data reproducing apparatus is designedto implement reproduction for 5 seconds from each reproduction startposition. The order along which the file names and the reproductionranges are sequentially arranged in the digest list file will be used asthe order of sequential reproduction of the cuts described therein.

The digest generating section 14 generates a digest list file for thesecond group which is similar to that for the first group. The digestgenerating section 14 gives the file name “list file 102” to the digestlist file for the second group. The digest list file has segmentsrepresenting the number of cuts for the second group, thesequentially-arranged file names of the main image data pieces fromwhich the cuts should be extracted, and the sequentially-arrangedreproduction ranges for the cuts. Thus, the digest list file mentionsthe digest image data pieces (the cuts to be extracted from the mainimage data pieces).

The digest generating section 14 generates a digest list file for thethird group which is similar to that for the first group. The digestgenerating section 14 gives the file name “list file 103” to the digestlist file for the third group. The digest list file has segmentsrepresenting the number of cuts for the third group, thesequentially-arranged file names of the main image data pieces fromwhich the cuts should be extracted, and the sequentially-arrangedreproduction ranges for the cuts. Thus, the digest list file mentionsthe digest image data pieces (the cuts to be extracted from the mainimage data pieces).

The digest generating section 14 records the generated digest list filesfor the respective groups on the recording medium 18 through the use ofthe recording section 17. The digest generating section 14 may furtherrecord the generated digest image data pieces for the respective groupson the recording medium 18 through the use of the recording section 17.Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the digest list files are recorded onthe recording-medium domain under the list information directory. Aspreviously mentioned, the main list files are also recorded on therecording-medium domain under the list information directory.

The recording section 17 records the main image data pieces, which arereferred to by the recorded main list files and the recorded digest listfiles, on the recording medium 18 in a domain under the image datadirectory (see FIG. 4). Even for a main image data piece referred to byboth a recorded main list file and a recorded digest list file, the mainimage data piece is recorded on the recording medium 18 as a single fileunder the image data directory. In other words, two files of the mainimage data pieces, that is, a file to be referred to by the recordedmain list file and a file to be referred to by the recorded digest listfile, are not recorded on the recording medium 18. This design resultsin a reduction of the used capacity of the recording medium 18. Therecorded main image data pieces in the recording medium 18 are referredto by the main list files and the digest list files.

The menu picture data managing section 15 generates thumbnail menupicture data representative of a thumbnail menu picture 70 (see FIG. 9)and inclusive of control information, and reproduction change menupicture data representative of a reproduction change menu picture 110(see FIG. 10) and inclusive of control information on the basis of themain list files and the digest list files generated by the groupgenerating section 13 and the digest generating section 14. The menupicture data managing section 15 records the generated thumbnail menupicture data and the generated reproduction change menu picture data onthe recording medium 18 through the use of the recording section 17.

The thumbnail menu picture 70 represented by the thumbnail menu picturedata, the control information in the thumbnail menu picture data, thereproduction change menu picture 110 represented by the reproductionchange menu picture data, and the control information in thereproduction change menu picture data may be uniquely predetermined andrecorded on every recording medium. In this case, the menu picture datamanaging section 15 includes a memory storing the thumbnail menu picturedata and the reproduction change menu picture data. The thumbnail menupicture data and the reproduction change menu picture data are read fromthe memory before being recorded on the recording medium 18.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the thumbnail menu picture 70 represented bythe thumbnail menu picture data. The thumbnail menu picture 70 isdesigned so that one can be selected from main list files and digestlist files, and reproduction will be started regarding the selected listfile. The thumbnail menu picture data contains display pictureinformation and the control information. The display picture informationrepresents the thumbnail menu picture 70. The display pictureinformation conforms to the format for the recorded and reproduced imagedata pieces. As shown in FIG. 9, the thumbnail menu picture 70 consistsof thumbnail pictures 71 a-71 f, a background picture 72, and buttonpictures 73 a-73 f. The thumbnail menu picture 70 may have a cursor.Preferably, the thumbnail pictures 71 a-71 f are arranged in rows andcolumns. The button pictures 73 a-73 f are located directly below thethumbnail pictures 71 a-71 f, respectively. The thumbnail pictures 71a-71 f and the button pictures 73 a-73 f extend in the backgroundpicture 72.

The thumbnail picture 71 a is a reduced picture originating from onepicture represented by the main image data pieces in the first group.The thumbnail picture 71 b is a reduced picture originating from onepicture represented by the main image data pieces in the second group.The thumbnail picture 71 c is a reduced picture originating from onepicture represented by the main image data pieces in the third group.The thumbnail picture 71 d is a reduced picture originating from onepicture represented by the cuts of the main image data pieces in thefirst group. The thumbnail picture 71 e is a reduced picture originatingfrom one picture represented by the cuts of the main image data piecesin the second group. The thumbnail picture 71 f is a reduced pictureoriginating from one picture represented by the cuts of the main imagedata pieces in the third group.

Accordingly, the thumbnail pictures 71 a, 71 b, and 71 c correspond tothe main list files, respectively. The thumbnail pictures 71 d, 71 e,and 71 f correspond to the digest list files, respectively.

The control information in the thumbnail menu picture data is designedto enable the button pictures 73 a-73 f to be used for controllingreproduction. The button pictures 73 a-73 f are associated or relatedwith the thumbnail pictures 71 a-71 f, respectively. Thus, the number ofthe button pictures 73 a-73 f is equal to that of the thumbnail pictures71 a-71 f.

The display picture information representing the thumbnail pictures 71a-71 f, the background picture 72, and the button pictures 73 a-73 finclude first information pieces indicating the contents of the pictures71 a-71 f, 72, and 73 a-73 f, and second information pieces indicatingthe positions of the pictures 71 a-71 f, 72, and 73 a-73 f relative tothe display screen.

The thumbnail pictures 71 a-71 f and the button pictures 73 a-73 f areindicated in such a manner as to make it clear that the button pictures73 a-73 f are related with the thumbnail pictures 71 a-71 frespectively. The button pictures 73 a-73 f may be located at one sides(for example, right-hand sides) of the thumbnail pictures 71 a-71 f,respectively. Alternatively, the button pictures 73 a-73 f may belocated at borders enclosing the thumbnail pictures 71 a-71 f,respectively. The file name of each of the main list files and thedigest list files, the date and time at which each of the main listfiles and the digest list files is generated, the inputting date andtime or the recording date and time of each main image data piece may beadditionally indicated in the thumbnail menu picture 70.

The control information in the thumbnail menu picture data relates tothe button pictures 73 a-73 f and has segments which represent controlcommands and statuses as follows:

-   the number of buttons=6:-   (a) picture selection button 73 a:

up button=none;

down button=move to button 73 d;

right button=move to button 73 b;

left button=none;

the number of command information pieces=3;

command information piece 1=record value indicative of thumbnail menuinto menu memory;

command information piece 2=reproduce main list file named “list file001”;

command information piece 3=end;

-   (b) picture selection button 73 b:

up button=none;

down button=move to button 73 e;

right button=move to button 73 c;

left button=move to button 73 a;

the number of command information pieces=3;

command information piece 1=record value indicative of thumbnail menuinto menu memory;

command information piece 2=reproduce main list file named “list file002”;

command information piece 3=end;

-   (c) picture selection button 73 c:

up button=none;

down button=move to button 73 f;

right button=none;

left button=move to button 73 b;

the number of command information pieces=3;

command information piece 1=record value indicative of thumbnail menuinto menu memory;

command information piece 2=reproduce main list file named “list file003”;

command information piece 3=end;

-   (d) picture selection button 73 d:

up button=move to button 73 a;

down button=none;

right button=move to button 7 e;

left button=none;

the number of command information pieces=4;

command information piece 1=record value indicative of reproductionchange menu into menu memory;

command information piece 2=record value indicative of digest list fileinto reproduced picture selection memory;

command information piece 3=reproduce digest list file named “list file101”;

command information piece 4=end;

-   (e) picture selection button 73 e:

up button=move to button 73 b;

down button=none;

right button=move to button 73 f;

left button=move to button 73 d;

the number of command information pieces=4;

command information piece 1=record value indicative of reproductionchange menu into menu memory;

command information piece 2=record value indicative of digest list fileinto reproduced picture selection memory;

command information piece 3=reproduce digest list file named “list file102”;

command information piece 4=end;

-   (f) picture selection button 73 f:

up button=move to button 73 c;

down button=none;

right button=none;

left button=move to button 73 e;

the number of command information pieces=4;

command information piece 1=record value indicative of reproductionchange menu into menu memory;

command information piece 2=record value indicative of digest list fileinto reproduced picture selection memory;

command information piece 3=reproduce digest list file named “list file103”;

command information piece 4=end.

The above segments of the control information in the thumbnail menupicture data form computer program portions which can be used by theimage data reproducing apparatus.

The menu picture data managing section 15 generates pieces of thecontrol information which correspond to the button picturesrespectively. Accordingly, the number of the control information piecesis equal to that of the button pictures or that of the main list filesand the digest list files. The picture selection buttons 73 a-73 fmentioned in the control information correspond to the button pictures73 a-73 f in FIG. 9, respectively.

As previously mentioned, the display picture information in thethumbnail menu picture data includes information pieces indicating thecontents of the button pictures 73 a-73 f respectively. Theseinformation pieces may further have added data pieces representing thenames or the ID numbers of the button pictures 73 a-73 f, respectively.The added data pieces are designed to designate which of the buttonpictures indicated in the thumbnail menu picture 70 each of the piecesof the control information corresponds to. In this case, an image datareproducing apparatus can detect the correspondence between the buttonpictures and the pieces of the control information by referring to theadded data pieces.

Alternatively, the pieces of the control information may further haveadded data pieces representing the positions of the correspondingbuttons pictures 73 a-73 f, respectively. The added data pieces serve toindicate which of the button pictures indicated in the thumbnail menupicture 70 each of the pieces of the control information corresponds to.

The above-indicated segments of the control information in the thumbnailmenu picture data have direction information pieces and commandinformation pieces. The direction information pieces for each of thepicture selection buttons 73 a-73 f represent to which of the buttons 73a-73 f movements from the present button should be made in response toinputted requests for up, down, left, and right movements.

The up, down, right, and left buttons mentioned in the controlinformation in the thumbnail menu picture data correspond to cross keys,that is, up, down, right, and left keys in an image data reproducingapparatus, respectively. The direction information pieces for each ofthe picture selection buttons 73 a-73 f represent to which of thebuttons 73 a-73 f movements from the present button should be made whenthe up, down, right, and left keys are depressed in the case where thethumbnail menu picture 70 is indicated on the display in the image datareproducing apparatus.

It is assumed that the thumbnail menu picture 70 is indicated in theimage data reproducing apparatus, and that the button picture 73 a isselected. In this case, when a request for right movement is inputted bydepressing the right key in the image data reproducing apparatus, theselected button is changed from the button 73 a to the button 73 baccording to the corresponding direction information piece in thecontrol information. In the thumbnail menu picture 70, the buttonpicture 73 b extends immediately rightward of the button picture 73 a(see FIG. 9). On the other hand, when a request for up movement isinputted by depressing the up key in the image data reproducingapparatus, the corresponding direction information piece in the controlinformation is “none” so that the button 73 a continues to be selectedone. In the thumbnail menu picture 70, no button picture extendsimmediately upward of the button picture 73 a (see FIG. 9).

Preferably, the control information has a field for storing the name offirst selected one (initially selected one) of the buttons 73 a-73 fwhich occurs before a request for button selection is inputted.Preferably, two different pictures are prepared for each of the buttons73 a-73 f. In this case, one of the two pictures is used and indicatedwhen the corresponding button is selected. The other picture is used andindicated when the corresponding button is not selected. Accordingly, itis possible to easily discriminate the selected button from thenon-selected buttons. For each of the buttons 73 a-73 f, the controlinformation has a field for storing a value designating the buttonpicture used and indicated when the corresponding button is selected,and a field storing a value designating the button picture used andindicated when the corresponding button is not selected. Preferably, thetwo pictures for each of the buttons 73 a-73 f are assigned different IDnumbers, respectively.

The image data reproducing apparatus may be provided with an inputdevice via which the ID number of desired one of the buttons 73 a-73 fcan be inputted. In this case, when the ID number of desired one of thebuttons 73 a-73 f is inputted via the input device, the image datareproducing apparatus handles the desired one as selected one.

In the previously-indicated segments of the control information in thethumbnail menu picture data, “non” may be replaced by the name or the IDnumber of the related picture selection button. For example, “none” ateach of the up button and the left button in the paragraph assigned tothe picture selection button 73 a is replaced by the name of the pictureselection button 73 a. In this case, the name of the picture selectionbutton 73 a at each of the up button and the left button denotes thatthe picture selection button 73 a remains selected even when the upbutton or the left button is depressed.

As previously mentioned, the above-indicated segments of the controlinformation in the thumbnail menu picture data have command informationpieces. The command information pieces for each of the picture selectionbuttons 73 a-73 f represent the number of commands and the contents ofthe commands which can be issued when the related picture selectionbutton is selected. The commands are designed for reproduction controlimplemented in response to requests inputted via the cross keys and adecision button in the image data reproducing apparatus.

For each of the picture selection buttons 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c indicatedbelow the thumbnail pictures 71 a, 71 b, and 71 c (see FIG. 9), the menupicture data managing section 15 provides command information pieces“1”, “2”, and “3”. The command information piece “1” represents acommand to record a value indicative of a thumbnail menu into a menumemory. The command information piece “2” represents a command toreproduce the main list file corresponding to the present pictureselection button. The command information piece “2” may represent thefile name of the to-be-reproduced main list file. The commandinformation piece “3” represents an end command.

For each of the picture selection buttons 73 d, 73 e, and 73 f indicatedbelow the thumbnail pictures 71 d, 71 e, and 71 f (see FIG. 9), the menupicture data managing section 15 provides command information pieces“1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”. The command information piece “1” represents acommand to record a value indicative of a reproduction change menu intoa menu memory. The command information piece “2” represents a command torecord a value indicative of a digest list file into a reproducedpicture selection memory. The command information piece “3” represents acommand to reproduce the digest list file corresponding to the presentpicture selection button. The command information piece “3” mayrepresent the file name of the to-be-reproduced digest list file. Thecommand information piece “4” represents an end command.

Preferably, each of the command information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and“4” has a sequence of 16 bits in which 8 higher bits are assigned tocommand information indicative of a command, and 8 lower bits areassigned to variable information indicative of a value used by thecommand.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the assignment of the 8 higher bits b7, b6,. . . , b0 to portions of the command information. With reference toFIG. 1 1, the bit b7 is assigned to a variable information flag. Thevariable information flag b7 being “0” indicates a variable informationfield formed by the 8 lower bits is unused. On the other hand, thevariable information flag b7 being “1” indicates the variableinformation field is used. The bits b6, b5, and b4 are always set to“0”. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 are assigned to one changeable amongdifferent commands.

With reference to FIG. 12, the bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0000”represent a command to record a value of variable information into amenu memory. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0001” represent acommand to record a value of variable information into a reproducedpicture memory. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0010” represent acommand to reproduce a list file identified by a value of variableinformation. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “1111” represent an endcommand.

In the case where the value indicative of a thumbnail menu is set as thevalue “2” of the variable information (00000010), the 16-bit sequencesforming the command information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning thepicture selection button 73 a are in the following binary states.

-   command information piece “1”=1000 0000 0000 0010-   command information piece “2”=1000 0010 0000 0001-   command information piece “3”=0000 1111 0000 0000

In the case where the value indicative of a reproduction change menu isset as the value “1” of the variable information (00000001) and thevalue indicative of a digest list file is set as the value “100” of thevariable information (01100100), the 16-bit sequences forming thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” concerning the pictureselection button 73 f are in the following binary states.

-   command information piece “1”=1000 0000 0000 0001-   command information piece “2”=1000 0001 0110 0100-   command information piece “3”=1000 0010 0110 0111-   command information piece “4”=0000 1111 0000 0000

As previously mentioned, the variable information flag b7 being “0”indicates a variable information field formed by the 8 lower bits isunused. Accordingly, the command information piece “3” for the pictureselection button 73 a and the command information piece “4” concerningthe picture selection button 73 f may be shortened to “0000 1111”.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the reproduction change menu picture 110represented by the reproduction change menu picture data. Thereproduction change menu picture data contains display pictureinformation and the control information. The display picture informationrepresents the reproduction change menu picture 110. As shown in FIG.10, the reproduction change menu picture 110 consists of a reproductionchange button picture 111, a thumbnail menu call button picture 112, acancel button picture 113, and a background picture. The reproductionchange menu picture 110 may have a cursor. Preferably, the buttonpictures 111, 112, and 113 are arranged in a vertical line. The buttonpictures 11 1, 112, and 113 extend in the background picture.

An image data reproducing apparatus indicates the reproduction changemenu picture 110 on its display when, for example, a menu indicationbutton in the apparatus is depressed. The reproduction change buttonpicture 111 in the reproduction change menu picture 110 is used for aprocess of implementing the following actions. In the case where theimage data reproducing apparatus reproduces main image data piecesmentioned in a main list file, when the reproduction change buttonpicture 111 is selected, the reproduction of a current main image datapiece is suspended and is then replaced with the reproduction of adigest image data piece. In the case where the image data reproducingapparatus reproduces digest image data pieces mentioned in a digest listfile, when the reproduction change button picture 111 is selected, thereproduction of a current digest image data piece is suspended and isthen replaced with the reproduction of a main image data piece. Thethumbnail menu call button picture 112 in the reproduction change menupicture 110 is used for calling and indicating the thumbnail menupicture 70.

The control information in the reproduction change menu picture data hasportions corresponding to the button pictures 111, 112, and 113respectively. One can be selected from the button pictures 111, 112, and113 in accordance with user's request inputted via cross keys in animage data reproducing apparatus. The selection can be decided inaccordance with user's request inputted via a decision button in theimage data reproducing apparatus. The button-corresponding portions ofthe control information are designed for reproduction controlimplemented by the image data reproducing apparatus in response to thebutton selection and the selection decision.

The display picture information in the reproduction change menu picturedata conforms to the format for the recorded and reproduced image datapieces.

The control information in the reproduction change menu picture datarelates to the button pictures 111, 112, and 113 and has segments whichrepresent control commands and statuses as follows: the number ofbuttons=3:

-   (a) reproduction change button 111:

up button=none;

down button=move to button 112;

right button=none;

left button=none;

the number of command information pieces=11;

command information piece 1=record value indicative of reproductionchange menu into menu memory;

command information piece 2=move to next command information piece whenvalue indicative of main list file is recorded in reproduced pictureselection memory (ignore next command information piece and move tosecond next command information piece in other cases);

command information piece 3=move to command information piece 8;

command information piece 4=record value indicative of main list fileinto reproduced picture selection memory;

command information piece 5=obtain number N that is list file namerecorded in resume memory;

command information piece 6=reproduce list file having name equal toobtained number N minus 100;

command information piece 7=move to command information piece 11;

command information piece 8=record value indicative of digest list fileinto reproduced picture selection memory;

command information piece 9=obtain number N that is list file namerecorded in resume memory;

command information piece 10=reproduce list file having name equal toobtained number N plus 100;

command information piece 11=end;

-   (b) thumbnail menu call button 112:

up button=move to button 111;

down button=move to button 113;

right button=none;

left button=none;

the number of command information pieces=2;

command information piece 1=reproduce thumbnail menu picture;

command information piece 2=end;

-   (c) cancel button 113:

up button=move to button 112;

down button=none;

right button=none;

left button=none;

the number of command information pieces=3;

command information piece 1=record value indicative of reproductionchange menu into menu memory;

command information piece 2=reproduce from position recorded in resumememory;

command information piece 3=end.

The above segments of the control information in the reproduction changemenu picture data form computer program portions which can be used bythe image data reproducing apparatus.

The menu picture data managing section 15 generates portions of thecontrol information which correspond to the button 111, 112, and 113respectively. The display picture information in the reproduction changemenu picture data has portions representing the button pictures 111,112, and 113 in the reproduction change menu picture 110. The ID numbersof the buttons 111, 112, and 113 are mentioned in not only thebutton-corresponding portions of the control information but also thebutton-representing portions of the display picture information so as toprovide a correspondence between the button-corresponding portions ofthe control information and the button-representing portions of thedisplay picture information.

The above-indicated segments of the control information in thereproduction change menu picture data have direction information piecesand command information pieces. The direction information pieces foreach of the buttons 111, 112, and 113 represent to which of the buttons111, 112, and 113 movements from the present button should be made inresponse to inputted requests for up, down, left, and right movements.

The up, down, right, and left buttons mentioned in the controlinformation in the reproduction change menu picture data correspond tocross keys, that is, up, down, right, and left keys in an image datareproducing apparatus, respectively. The direction information piecesfor each of the buttons 111, 112, and 113 represent to which of thebuttons 111, 112, and 113 movements from the present button should bemade when the up, down, right, and left keys are depressed in the casewhere the reproduction change menu picture 110 is indicated in the imagedata reproducing apparatus. The ID numbers of destination buttons arementioned in the direction information pieces.

It is assumed that the reproduction change menu picture 110 is indicatedin the image data reproducing apparatus, and that the button picture 111is selected. In this case, when a request for down movement is inputtedby depressing the down key in the image data reproducing apparatus, theselected button is changed from the button 111 to the button 112according to the corresponding direction information piece in thecontrol information. In the reproduction change menu picture 110, thebutton picture 112 extends immediately below the button picture 111 (seeFIG. 10). On the other hand, when a request for up, right, or leftmovement is inputted by depressing the up, right, or left key in theimage data reproducing apparatus, the corresponding directioninformation piece in the control information is “none” so that thebutton 111 continues to be selected one. In the reproduction change menupicture 110, no button picture extends upward, rightward, or leftward ofthe button picture 111 (see FIG. 10).

Each of the control information portions for the buttons 111, 112, and113 has fields storing the direction information pieces corresponding to“up”, “down”, “right”, and “left” respectively. In the case where thedirection information pieces related to the right and left buttons foreach of the button pictures 111, 112, and 113 are “none”, the fields forstoring the direction information pieces related to the right and leftbuttons may be omitted. Preferably, the control information has a fieldfor storing the name of first selected one (initially selected one) ofthe buttons 111, 112, and 113 which occurs before a request for buttonselection is inputted. Preferably, two different pictures are preparedfor each of the buttons 111, 112, and 113. In this case, one of the twopictures is used and indicated when the corresponding button isselected. The other picture is used and indicated when the correspondingbutton is not selected. Accordingly, it is possible to easilydiscriminate the selected button from the non-selected buttons. For eachof the buttons 111, 112, and 113, the control information has a fieldfor storing a value designating the button picture used and indicatedwhen the corresponding button is selected, and a field storing a valuedesignating the button picture used and indicated when the correspondingbutton is not selected. Preferably, the two pictures for each of thebuttons 111, 112, and 113 are assigned different ID numbers,respectively.

The image data reproducing apparatus may be provided with an inputdevice via which the ID number of desired one of the buttons 111, 112,and 113 can be inputted. In this case, when the ID number of desired oneof the buttons 111, 112, and 113 is inputted via the input device, theimage data reproducing apparatus handles the desired one as selectedone.

In the previously-indicated segments of the control information in thethumbnail menu picture data, “non” may be replaced by the ID number ofthe related button. For example, “none” at each of the up button, theright button, and the left button in the paragraph assigned to thebutton 111 is replaced by the ID number of the button 111. In this case,the ID number of the button 111 at each of the up button, the rightbutton, and the left button denotes that the button 111 remains selectedeven when the up button, the right button, or the left button isdepressed.

As previously mentioned, the above-indicated segments of the controlinformation in the reproduction change menu picture data have commandinformation pieces. The command information pieces for each of thebuttons 111, 112, and 113 represent the number of commands and thecontents of the commands which can be issued when the related button isselected. The commands are designed for reproduction control implementedin response to requests inputted via the cross keys and the decisionbutton in the image data reproducing apparatus.

For the reproduction change button 111, the menu picture data managingsection 15 provides command information pieces for replacing thereproduction of a main image data piece with the reproduction of adigest image data piece, and replacing the reproduction of a digestimage data piece with the reproduction of a main image data piece. Forthe thumbnail menu picture call button 112, the menu picture datamanaging section 15 provides a command information piece for indicatingthe thumbnail menu picture 70. For the cancel button 113, the menupicture data managing section 15 provides a command information piecefor reproducing the remaining part of the image data piece which hasbeen partially reproduced before the indication of the reproductionchange menu picture 110.

Preferably, each of the command information pieces for the buttons 111,112, and 113 has a sequence of 16 bits in which 8 higher bits areassigned to command information indicative of a command, and 8 lowerbits are assigned to variable information indicative of a value used bythe command. The structure of the 8 higher bits b7, b6, . . . , b0assigned to the command information is similar to that in FIG. 11.Accordingly, the bit b7 is assigned to a variable information flag. Thebits b6, b5, and b4 are always set to “0”. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0are assigned to one changeable among different commands.

With reference to FIG. 13, the bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0000”represent a command to record a value of variable information into amenu memory. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0001” represent acommand to record a value of variable information into a reproducedpicture memory. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0010” represent acommand to reproduce a list file identified by a value of variableinformation. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0011” represent acommand to reproduce a list file having an ID number equal to anobtained number plus a value of variable information. The bits b3, b2,b1, and b0 being “0100” represent a command to reproduce a list filehaving an ID number equal to an obtained number minus a value ofvariable information. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0101” representa command to reproduce and indicate the thumbnail menu picture 70. Thebits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0110” represent a command to reproduceand indicate the reproduction change menu picture 110. The bits b3, b2,b1, and b0 being “0111” represent a command to start reproduction from aposition recorded in a resume memory (a resuming-purpose memory). Thebits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “1000” represent a command for movement toa command information piece corresponding to a value of variableinformation. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “1001” represent acommand to make movement to a next command information piece when avalue recorded in a reproduced picture selection memory and a value ofvariable information are equal, and a command to ignore the next commandinformation piece and to make movement to a second next commandinformation piece when the value recorded in the reproduced pictureselection memory and the value of variable information are not equal.The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “1010” represent a command to makemovement to a next command information piece when a value recorded in amenu memory and a value of variable information are equal, and a commandto ignore the next command information piece and to make movement to asecond next command information piece when the value recorded in themenu memory and the value of variable information are not equal. Thebits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “1100” represent a command to obtain theID number of a list file from the resume memory. The bits b3, b2, b1,and b0 being “1111” represent an end command.

The 16-bit sequences forming the command information pieces “1” “2”,“3”, . . . , and “11” for the reproduction change button 111 are in thefollowing binary states.

-   command information piece “1”=1000 0000 0000 0001-   command information piece “2”=1000 1001 0000 0000-   command information piece “3”=1000 1000 0000 1000-   command information piece “4”=1000 0001 0000 0000-   command information piece “5”=0000 1100 0000 0000-   command information piece “6”=1000 0100 0110 0100-   command information piece “7”=1000 1000 0000 1011-   command information piece “8”=1000 0001 0110 0100-   command information piece “9”=0000 1100 0000 0000-   command information piece “10”=1000 0011 0110 0100-   command information piece “11”=0000 1111 0000 0000

The 16-bit sequences forming the command information pieces “1” and “2”for the thumbnail menu picture call button 112 are in the followingbinary states.

-   command information piece “1”=0000 0101 0000 0000-   command information piece “2”=0000 1111 0000 0000

The 16-bit sequences forming the command information pieces “1”, “2”,and “3” for the cancel button 113 are in the following binary states.

-   command information piece “1”=1000 0000 0000 0001-   command information piece “2”=0000 0111 0000 0000-   command information piece “3”=0000 1111 0000 0000

As previously mentioned, the variable information flag b7 being “0”indicates a variable information field formed by the 8 lower bits isunused. Accordingly, the field for variable information may be omittedfrom each command information piece in which the variable informationflag b7 is “0”.

The menu picture data managing section 15 records the thumbnail menupicture data and the reproduction change menu picture data into therecording medium 18 through the use of the recording section 17.

The initial reproduction information generating section 16 generates theinitial reproduction information inclusive of control information. Theinitial reproduction information generating section 16 sends the initialreproduction information to the recording section 17. The recordingsection 17 records the initial reproduction information on the recordingmedium 18.

The initial reproduction information includes command information piecesfor enabling an image data reproducing apparatus to implementreproduction control when the reproduction of recorded image data fromthe recording medium 18 is performed by the apparatus for the firsttime, and command information pieces for enabling the image datareproducing apparatus to implement reproduction control when a requestto indicate a menu picture is inputted. The initial reproductioninformation forms computer program portions which can be used by theimage data reproducing apparatus.

The initial reproduction information has segments which representcontrol commands and statuses as follows:

-   the number of command information pieces=6:

command information piece 1=move to next command information piece whenvalue indicative of reproduction change menu is recorded in menu memory(ignore next command information piece and move to second next commandinformation piece in other cases);

command information piece 2=move to command information piece 5;

command information piece 3=reproduce and indicate thumbnail menupicture;

command information piece 4=move to command information piece 6;

command information piece 5=reproduce and indicate reproduction changemenu picture;

command information piece 6=end.

Preferably, each of the command information pieces in the initialreproduction information has a sequence of 16 bits in which 8 higherbits are assigned to command information indicative of a command, and 8lower bits are assigned to variable information indicative of a valueused by the command. The structure of the 8 higher bits b7, b6, . . . ,b0 assigned to the command information is similar to that in FIG. 11.Accordingly, the bit b7 is assigned to a variable information flag. Thebits b6, b5, and b4 are always set to “0”. The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0are assigned to one changeable among different commands chosen fromthose in FIG. 13.

The 16-bit sequences forming the command information pieces 1 “2”, “3”,. . . , and “6” in the initial reproduction information are in thefollowing binary states.

-   command information piece “1”=1000 1010 0000 0001-   command information piece “2”=1000 1000 0000 0101-   command information piece “3”=0000 0101 0000 0000-   command information piece “4”=1000 1000 0000 0110-   command information piece “5”=0000 0110 0000 0000-   command information piece “6”=0000 1111 0000 0000

As previously mentioned, the initial reproduction information generatedby the initial reproduction information generating section 16 isrecorded on the recording medium 18 through the recording section 17.

The command information pieces in the initial reproduction informationmay be uniquely predetermined. In this case, the initial reproductioninformation generating section 16 may include a memory storing thecommand information pieces. The command information pieces are read fromthe memory before being recorded on the recording medium 18 as theinitial reproduction information.

FIG. 14 shows the hardware structure of the image data recordingapparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 14, the image data recording apparatus 10includes a computer 50. A part of the image data inputting section 11,the group generating section 13, the digest generating section 14, themenu picture data managing section 15, the initial reproductioninformation generating section 16, and a part of the recording section17 in FIG. 1 are implemented by the computer 50.

The computer 50 has an I/O port 50A, a CPU 50B, a ROM 50C, and a RAM 50Dwhich are connected by a bus. The clock 12 is connected with the I/Oport 50A of the computer 50.

The image data recording apparatus 10 includes a drive 18A for therecording medium 18. The drive 18A is connected with the I/O port 50A ofthe computer 50. The recording section 17 in FIG. 1 is partiallyimplemented by the drive 18A.

There is an image capturing section (not shown) connected with the I/Oport 50A of the computer 50. During every shooting, the image capturingsection repetitively captures an image of a subject or a target scene,and generates a video data piece representing a stream of movingpictures or a set of still pictures formed by the respective capturedimages. The image capturing section outputs each video data piece to theI/O port 50A of the computer 50.

The computer 50 or the CPU 50B operates in accordance with a controlprogram (a computer program) stored in the ROM 50C or the RAM 50D. Thecontrol program is designed to enable the computer 50 or the CPU 50B toimplement actions mentioned hereafter.

During a main data recording mode of operation of the image datarecording apparatus 10, the computer 50 receives each video data piecefrom the image capturing section, and encodes the received video datapiece to generate a main image data piece (a main image data sequence, amain image data block, or a main image data file). The computer 50controls the drive 18A to record the generated main image data piece onthe recording medium 18.

For each main image data piece recorded on the recording medium 18, thecomputer 50 obtains or generates a management information piecerepresenting the ID number or name (file name), logical address (blockaddress), inputting date and time, recording date and time, play time,and image quality of the main image data piece. Specifically, byreferring to the output signal from the clock 12, the computer 50detects the date and time (the inputting date and time) at which thevideo data piece corresponding to the main image data piece is inputtedthereto, the date and time (the recording date and time) at which themain image data piece is recorded on the recording medium 18, and theplay time of the main image data piece. The logical address denotes aposition on the recording medium 18 at which the recorded main imagedata piece is located. The computer 50 controls the drive 18A to recordthe management information piece on the recording medium 18. Thecomputer 50 may add the management information piece to thecorresponding main image data piece before recording the resultant mainimage data piece on the recording medium 18 through the drive 18A.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a segment of the control program for thecomputer 50 (the CPU 50B) which is executed for each video data pieceinputted to the image data recording apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 15,a first step S 110 of the program segment receives an inputted videodata piece. The step S110 encodes the received video data piece into amain image data piece. A step S120 following the step S110 refers to theoutput signal from the clock 12, and thereby obtains an informationpiece representing the date and time at which the video data piece isinputted. The step S120 stores the obtained date and time informationpiece into a field prescribed by a data recording format for therecording medium 18 or a picture format. After the step S120, thecurrent execution cycle of the program segment ends.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of another segment of the control program for thecomputer 50 (the CPU 50B) which is generally executed after a pluralityof main image data pieces and a plurality of corresponding managementinformation pieces are recorded on the recording medium 18.

With reference to FIG. 16, a first step S130 of the program segmentcontrols the drive 18A to read the management information pieces fromthe recording medium 18. The step S130 detects the inputting dates andtimes or the recording dates and times, and the play times of therecorded main image data pieces from the read management informationpieces. The step S130 classifies the main image data pieces into groupsaccording to the detected inputting dates and times or the detectedrecording dates and times, and the detected play times thereof as thegroup generating section 13 in FIG. 1 does.

A step S140 following the step S130 generates main list files for therespective groups on the basis of the read management information piecesas the group generating section 13 in FIG. 1 does. Each of the generatedmain list file indicates the ID numbers (the names) of and thereproduction ranges (the reproduction intervals or the play intervals)for the main image data pieces in the related group. Preferably, thereproduction ranges are expressed by the addresses of the main imagedata pieces on the recording medium 18. The step S140 controls the drive18A to record the generated main list files on the recording medium 18.

A step S150 subsequent to the step S140 generates digest list files forthe respective groups on the basis of the read management informationpieces as the digest generating section 14 in FIG. 1 does. Each of thegenerated digest list file indicates the ID numbers (the names) of ones,from which cuts should be extracted, of the main image data pieces inthe related group, and the cut-corresponding reproduction ranges (thecut-corresponding reproduction intervals or the cut-corresponding playintervals) for the main image data pieces. Preferably, thecut-corresponding reproduction ranges are expressed by the addresses ofportions, which should be extracted as cuts, of the main image datapieces on the recording medium 18. The step S150 controls the drive 18Ato record the generated digest list files on the recording medium 18.

A step S160 following the step S 150 generates data representative ofthe thumbnail menu picture 70 and data representative of thereproduction change menu picture 110 on the basis of the main list filesand the digest list files as the menu picture data managing section 15in FIG. 1 does. The step S160 controls the drive 18A to record thethumbnail menu picture data and the reproduction change menu data on therecording medium 18.

A step S170 subsequent to the step S160 generates initial reproductioninformation as the initial reproduction information generating section16 in FIG. 1 does. The step S170 controls the drive 18A to record thegenerated initial reproduction information on the recording medium 18.After the step S170, the current execution cycle of the program segmentends.

FIG. 17 shows an image data reproducing apparatus 20 according to thefirst embodiment of this invention. It should be noted that a portion ofFIG. 17 shows the operation of the image data reproducing apparatus 20rather than the hardware structure thereof.

With reference to FIG. 17, there are a reproducing section 22, a display23, a reproduction controlling section 24, a menu indication button 25,cross keys and decision button 26, and a reproduction operationinputting section 27.

The reproducing section 22 serves to read main image data pieces, digestimage data pieces (portions of the main image data pieces), main listfiles, digest list files, thumbnail menu picture data, reproductionchange menu picture data, and initial reproduction information from arecording medium 18 which have been recorded thereon by, for example,the image data recording apparatus 10. It is preferable to read eitherdigest image data pieces or digest list files. The reproducing section22 sends the main image data pieces, the digest image data pieces, thethumbnail menu picture data, and the reproduction change menu picturedata to the display 23. The reproducing section 22 sends the controlinformation in the thumbnail menu picture data, the control informationin the reproduction change menu picture data, and the initialreproduction information to the reproduction controlling section 24.

The display 23 serves to indicate the contents of the main image datapieces, the digest image data pieces, the thumbnail menu picture data,and the reproduction change menu picture data.

The menu indication button 25, the cross keys and decision button 26,and the reproduction operation inputting section 27 can be actuated by auser. User's requests can be inputted to the reproduction controllingsection 24 by actuating the menu indication button 25, the cross keysand decision button 26, and the reproduction operation inputting section27.

The reproduction controlling section 24 implements reproduction controlthrough the reproducing section 22 in response to the initialreproduction information, the control information in the thumbnail menupicture data, the control information in the reproduction change menupicture data, and user's requests inputted via the menu indicationbutton 25, the cross keys and decision button 26, and the reproductionoperation inputting section 27. The user can input desired requests intothe image data reproducing apparatus 20 via the menu indication button25, the cross keys and decision button 26, and the reproductionoperation inputting section 27 while monitoring the thumbnail menupicture 70 or the reproduction change menu picture 110 indicated on thedisplay 23.

The reproduction controlling section 24 includes a resume memory (aresuming-purpose memory) 24 a, a reproduced picture selection memory 24b, and a menu memory 24 c in which information used for reproductioncontrol is recorded. The memories 24 a-24 c may be located outside thereproduction controlling section 24 provided that the reproductioncontrolling section 24 obtains the reproduction control informationtherefrom. The memories 24 a-24 c may be formed by a common memory. Thereproduction controlling section 24 initializes the memories 24 a-24 cwhen the recording medium 18 is replaced with new one, when therecording medium 18 is inserted into the apparatus 20, or when a powersupply in the apparatus 20 is changed to an on state or an off state.The initialization is implemented by recording signals of initial valuesinto the memories 24 a-24 c. Preferably, the initial values differ fromnormal values recorded in the memories 24 a-24 c during the usualoperation of the apparatus 20. For example, the initial values are equalto zero or negative integers in the case where the normal valuesrecorded in the memories 24 a-24 c are positive integers. The initialvalues used upon the insertion of the recording medium 18 into theapparatus 20 or the change of the power supply to the on state may beequal to preset values.

The image data recording apparatus 10 or another apparatus has recordedthe main image data pieces, the main list files, the digest list files,the thumbnail menu picture data, the reproduction change menu picturedata, and the initial reproduction information on the recording medium18.

The reproducing section 22 is designed for the recording medium 18.Specifically, the reproducing section 22 includes an accessing unit forsuccessively reading recorded signals from the recording medium 18. Theaccessing unit is a magnetic head when the recording medium 18 is a harddisc. The accessing unit is an optical pickup when the recording medium18 is an optical disc. The accessing unit is a reader when the recordingmedium 18 is a memory. The reproducing section 22 further includes aunit for controlling the position of the accessing unit relative to therecording medium 18, a motor for rotating the recording medium 18, aunit for controlling rotation of the motor (that is, rotation of therecording medium 18), a signal processor for subjecting every signalread from the recording medium 18 by the accessing unit to demodulation,and a decoder for decoding every demodulation-result signal in harmonywith the encoding scheme for the signals recorded on the recordingmedium 18.

User's requests for reproduction start (playback start), reproductionstop (playback stop), rewinding, and fast feed can be inputted to thereproduction controlling section 24 via the reproduction operationinputting section 27. The reproduction controlling section 24 respondsto user's requests inputted via the menu indication button 25, the crosskeys and decision button 26, and the reproduction operation inputtingsection 27.

When user's request for reproduction start is inputted via thereproduction operation inputting section 27, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22 to read adesired main image data piece or a desired digest image data piece fromthe recording medium 18 and decode the read main image data piece or theread digest image data piece into a video signal. The reproducingsection 22 sends the video signal to the display 23. The display 23indicates the contents of the video signal.

When user's request for indicating a menu picture is inputted via themenu indication button 25, the reproduction controlling section 24suspends the reproduction of a desired main image data piece or adesired digest image data piece via the reproducing section 22 andrecords, into the resume memory 24 a, information for identifying thereproduction-suspended position in the desired main image data piece orthe desired digest image data piece.

The cross keys and decision button 26 are used for moving a cursor todesired one of the buttons in the thumbnail menu picture 70 or thereproduction change menu picture 110 indicated on the display 23 andthereby selecting the desired button, and for deciding the buttonselection. When one of the up, down, right, and left keys in the crosskeys and decision button 26 is depressed, the reproduction controllingsection 24 processes the direction information piece corresponding tothe depressed key to implement desired movement from one button toanother button. When the decision button in the cross keys and decisionbutton 26 is depressed, the reproduction controlling section 24processes the command information piece or pieces corresponding to thecurrently-selected button.

The menu indication button 25, the cross keys and decision button 26,and the reproduction operation inputting section 27 may be provided onan infrared-based remote control device. In this case, the image datareproducing apparatus 20 includes an interface for receiving signalsfrom the remote control device.

(1) Initial-Reproduction-Information Responsive Operation

The image data reproducing apparatus 20 starts operating in aninitial-reproduction-information responsive mode when user's request forreproduction start is inputted to the reproduction controlling section24 via the reproduction operation inputting section 27 or when user'srequest for indicating a menu picture is inputted to the reproductioncontrolling section 24 via the menu indication button 25 during thereproduction of a main image data piece or a digest image data piecefrom the recording medium 18.

The initial-reproduction-information responsive mode of operation of theapparatus 20 is as follows. First, the reproduction controlling section24 obtains the initial reproduction information from the recordingmedium 18 through the use of the reproducing section 22. When therecording medium 18 is connected with or inserted into the apparatus 20,the reproduction controlling section 24 may obtain the initialreproduction information from the recording medium 18 and then recordthe obtained initial reproduction information into a memory within thesection 24. In this case, the reproduction controlling section 24fetches the initial reproduction information from the memory upon thelater inputting of user's request for reproduction start or user'srequest for indicating a menu picture.

As previously mentioned, the initial reproduction information has thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, and “6”. Thereproduction controlling section 24 sequentially executes ones among thecommands in the command information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, and“6” in that order. Thereby, the reproduction controlling section 24implements signal processing for reproduction in accordance with theinitial reproduction information.

First, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the command inthe command information piece “1”. As previously mentioned, the commandin the command information piece “1” is to move to the next commandinformation piece (the command information piece “2”) when the valueindicative of the reproduction change menu is recorded in the menumemory 24 c, and is to ignore the next command information piece andmove to the second next command information piece (the commandinformation piece “3”) in the other cases. The reproduction controllingsection 24 decides whether or not the value indicative of thereproduction change menu is recorded in the menu memory 24 c. In thecase where the initial value different from the value indicative of thereproduction change menu is stored in the menu memory 24 c, thereproduction controlling section 24 decides that the value indicative ofthe reproduction change menu is not recorded in the menu memory 24 c.Accordingly, in this case, the reproduction controlling section 24ignores the next command information piece (the command informationpiece “2”) and executes the command in the second next commandinformation piece (the command information piece “3”).

As previously mentioned, the command information piece “3” is toreproduce and indicate the thumbnail menu picture 70. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22to read the thumbnail menu picture data from the recording medium 18 andsend the thumbnail menu picture data to the display 23. The display 23indicates the thumbnail menu picture 70 represented by the thumbnailmenu picture data.

Thereafter, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the commandin the command information piece “4”. As previously mentioned, thecommand information piece “4” is to move to the command informationpiece “6”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 executesthe command in the command information piece “6”. Since the command inthe command information piece “6” is “end” as previously mentioned, thereproduction controlling section 24 terminates theinitial-reproduction-information responsive mode of operation of theapparatus 20. The thumbnail menu picture 70 continues to be indicated onthe display 23 until the reproduction controlling section 24 implementsreproduction control for the next time.

On the other hand, in the case where the reproduction controllingsection 24 decides that the value indicative of the reproduction changemenu is recorded in the menu memory 24 c, the reproduction controllingsection 24 moves from the operation state about the command informationpiece “1” to the operation state about the command information piece “2”(the next command information piece). As previously mentioned, thecommand information piece “2” is to move to the command informationpiece “5”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 executesthe command in the command information piece “5”. As previouslymentioned, the command information piece “5” is to reproduce andindicate the reproduction change menu picture 110. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22to read the reproduction change menu picture data from the recordingmedium 18 and send the reproduction change menu picture data to thedisplay 23. The display 23 indicates the reproduction change menupicture 110 represented by the reproduction change menu picture data.Thereafter, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the commandin the command information piece “6”. Since the command in the commandinformation piece “6” is “end”, the reproduction controlling section 24terminates the initial-reproduction-information responsive mode ofoperation of the apparatus 20. The reproduction change menu picture 110continues to be indicated on the display 23 until the reproductioncontrolling section 24 implements reproduction control for the nexttime.

The value indicative of the reproduction change menu is recorded intothe menu memory 24 c in each of the following first, second, and thirdcases. The first case is that one of the button pictures 73 d, 73 e, and73 f is selected in the thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request fordeciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys and decisionbutton 26, and therefore the commands in the command information pieces“1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” relating to the selected button pictures 73 d, 73e, or 73 f are sequentially executed. The second case is that the button111 is selected in the reproduction change menu picture 110 and user'srequest for deciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys anddecision button 26, and therefore ones among the commands in the commandinformation pieces “1”-“11” relating to the selected button 111 aresequentially executed. The third case is that the button 113 is selectedin the reproduction change menu picture 110 and user's request fordeciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys and decisionbutton 26, and therefore ones among the commands in the commandinformation pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” relating to the selected button 113are sequentially executed.

The image data reproducing apparatus 20 starts a reproduction procedurewhen user's request for reproduction start is inputted via thereproduction operation inputting section 27. Then, the thumbnail menupicture 70 is indicated on the display 23. When the reproduction of adigest image data piece is requested, the value indicative of thereproduction change menu is recorded into the menu memory 24 c. In thiscase, upon the inputting of user's request for indicating a menu picturevia the menu indication button 25, the reproduction controlling section24 decides that the value indicative of the reproduction change menu isrecorded in the menu memory 24 c. Therefore, the reproduction changemenu picture 110 is indicated on the display 23 instead of the thumbnailmenu picture 70.

During the execution of the commands in the initial reproductioninformation, none of the thumbnail menu picture 70 and the reproductionchange menu picture 110 may be indicated while the contents of a mainimage data piece or a digest image data piece are reproduced andindicated. When the initial value different from the values indicativeof the thumbnail menu and the reproduction change menu is recorded inthe menu memory 24 c, the reproduction of a main image data piece or adigest image data piece may be started.

(2) Image-Data Reproduction Requested on Thumbnail Menu

The image data reproducing apparatus 20 starts operating in animage-data reproducing mode when one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b,and 73 c is selected in the thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's requestfor deciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys and decisionbutton 26, or when one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c isselected in the thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request forreproduction start is inputted via the reproduction operation inputtingsection 27.

The image-data reproducing mode of operation of the apparatus 20 is asfollows. First, the reproduction controlling section 24 obtains thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning the selectedbutton picture 73 a, 73 b, or 73 c from the recording medium 18 via thereproducing section 22. The reproduction controlling section 24sequentially executes the commands in the obtained command informationpieces “1”, “2”, and “3”.

The reproduction controlling section 24 may obtain the commandinformation pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning the button pictures 73a, 73 b, and 73 c from the recording medium 18 via the reproducingsection 22 before one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c isselected in the thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request fordeciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys and decisionbutton 26, or before one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c isselected in the thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request forreproduction start is inputted via the reproduction operation inputtingsection 27. In this case, the reproduction controlling section 24records the obtained command information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3”concerning the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c into an internalmemory. When one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c is selectedin the thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request for deciding thisselection is inputted via the cross keys and decision button 26, or whenone of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c is selected in thethumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request for reproduction start isinputted via the reproduction operation inputting section 27, thereproduction controlling section 24 fetches the command informationpieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning the selected button picture 73 a, 73b, or 73 c from the internal memory.

A further description will be given of the case where the button picture73 a is selected in the thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request fordeciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys and decisionbutton 26. First, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes thecommand in the command information piece “1” concerning the selectedbutton picture 73 a. As previously mentioned, the command in the commandinformation piece “1” takes the binary state “1000 0000 0000 0010” andis to record the value indicative of the thumbnail menu into the menumemory 24 c. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24records the value “0000 0010”, that is, the value indicative of thethumbnail menu picture into the menu memory 24 c.

Second, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the command inthe command information piece “2” concerning the selected button picture73 a. As previously mentioned, the command in the command informationpiece “2” is to reproduce the main list file named “list file 001”.Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 obtains the mainlist file “001” from the recording medium 18 via the reproducing section22. By referring to the obtained main list file “001”, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22 tosequentially read the main image data pieces in the first group from therecording medium 18 and send the read main image data pieces to thedisplay 23. The contents of the main image data pieces in the firstgroup are sequentially reproduced by the display 23.

In the case where the button picture 73 b or 73 c is selected in thethumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request for deciding this selectionis inputted via the cross keys and decision button 26, the main imagedata pieces in the second or third group are reproduced similarly to theabove-mentioned reproduction of those in the first group.

On the other hand, in the case where one of the button pictures 73 d, 73e, and 73 f is selected in the thumbnail menu picture 70 and user'srequest for deciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys anddecision button 26, the reproduction controlling section 24 obtains thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” concerning theselected button picture 73 d, 73 e, or 73 f from the recording medium 18via the reproducing section 22. The reproduction controlling section 24sequentially executes the commands in the obtained command informationpieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”. According to the command in the commandinformation piece “1” concerning the selected button picture 73 d, 73 e,or 73 f, the reproduction controlling section 24 records the valueindicative of the reproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c. Aspreviously mentioned, the command in the command information piece “1”takes the binary state “1000 0000 0000 0001”. Thus, the value indicativeof the reproduction change menu is “0000 0001”. Subsequently, accordingto the command in the command information piece “2” concerning theselected button picture 73 d, 73 e, or 73 f, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 records the value indicative of a digest listfile into the reproduced picture selection memory 24 b. The digest listfile corresponds to the group related to the selected button picture 73d, 73 e, or 73 f. When the command in the command information piece “2”takes the binary state “1000 0001 0110 0100”, the value indicative ofthe digest list file is “0110 0100”. Thereafter, according to thecommand in the command information piece “3” concerning the selectedbutton picture 73 d, 73 e, or 73 f, the reproduction controlling section24 obtains the related digest list file from the recording medium 18 viathe reproducing section 22. By referring to the obtained digest listfile, the reproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducingsection 22 to sequentially read the digest image data pieces in thefirst, second, or third group from the recording medium 18 and send theread digest image data pieces to the display 23. The contents of thedigest image data pieces in the first, second, or third group aresequentially reproduced by the display 23. The group to which thereproduced digest image data pieces belong is related to the selectedbutton picture 73 d, 73 e, or 73 f.

As previously mentioned, when one of the button pictures 73 a-73 f isselected in the thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request fordeciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys and decisionbutton 26, or when one of the button pictures 73 a-73 f is selected inthe thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request for reproduction startis inputted via the reproduction operation inputting section 27, themain image data pieces or the digest image data pieces are reproducedaccording to the main list file or the digest list file corresponding tothe selected button picture. Before the reproduction of the main imagedata pieces or the digest image data pieces is started, the valueindicative of the thumbnail menu or the reproduction change menu isrecorded into the menu memory 24 c.

Thereby, upon the inputting of user's request for indicating a menupicture via the menu indication button 25 during the reproduction of themain image data pieces or the digest image data pieces, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 obtains the initial reproduction information fromthe recording medium 18 via the reproducing section 22. Then, thereproduction controlling section 24 operates to indicate the thumbnailmenu picture 70 or the reproduction change menu picture 110 on thedisplay 23 in response to the recorded value in the menu memory 24 caccording to the obtained initial reproduction information.

In the absence of the inputting of user's request for indicating a menupicture via the menu indication button 25 during the reproduction of themain image data pieces or the digest image data pieces, the reproductionis continued until being completed. Thereafter, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 executes the command in the last one of thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning the buttonpictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c or the command in the last one of thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” concerning the buttonpictures 73 d, 73 e, and 73 f. As previously mentioned, the command inthe last command information piece is “end”. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 terminates the action for thereproduction of the main image data pieces or the digest image datapieces. At this time, the reproduction controlling section 24 mayoperate to indicate, on the display 23, a blue back picture or a messagethat reproduction has been completed and stopped. Alternatively, thereproduction controlling section 24 may further process the initialreproduction information.

On the other hand, in the presence of the inputting of user's requestfor indicating a menu picture via the menu indication button 25 duringthe reproduction of the main image data pieces or the digest image datapieces, the reproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducingsection 22 to suspend the reproduction. Since the digest image datapieces are the portions of the main image data pieces, suspending thereproduction of the digest image data pieces means suspending thereproduction of the portions of the main image data pieces. Thereproduction controlling section 24 detects the ID number (the filename) of the main list file or the digest list file mentioning thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, the ID number of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. The reproduction-suspended position is expressed by thenumber of frames, GOPs, or bytes counted from the head of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. The reproduction-suspendedposition may be expressed by the time elapsed from the momentcorresponding to the head of the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece. The reproduction controlling section 24 records, into the resumememory 24 a, reproduction-suspension point information representative ofthe detected ID number (the file name) of the main list file or thedigest list file, the detected ID number of the reproduction-suspendedmain image data piece, and the detected reproduction-suspended position.

As understood from the above description, a desired main image datapiece can be selected by referring to the thumbnail menu picture 70indicated on the display 23. Usually, the selected main image data pieceis reproduced so that the contents thereof are indicated on the display23 instead of the thumbnail menu picture 70. During the reproduction ofthe selected main image data piece, the value indicative of thethumbnail menu is recorded in the menu memory 24 c. When user's requestfor indicating a menu picture is inputted via the menu indication button25 in these conditions, the reproduction of the selected main image datapiece is suspended and then the image data reproducing apparatus 20starts operating in the initial-reproduction-information responsivemode. During the initial-reproduction-information responsive mode ofoperation, the reproduction controlling section 24 decides that thevalue indicative of the reproduction change menu is not recorded in themenu memory 24 c. As a result, the reproduction controlling section 24operates to indicate the thumbnail menu picture 70 on the display 23again. By referring to the indicated thumbnail menu picture 70, the usercan select a desired main image data piece or a digest image data piece.The selected main image data piece or the selected digest image datapiece can be reproduced.

As understood from the above description, a desired digest image datapiece can be selected by referring to the thumbnail menu picture 70indicated on the display 23. Usually, the selected digest image datapiece is reproduced so that the contents thereof are indicated on thedisplay 23 instead of the thumbnail menu picture 70. During thereproduction of the selected digest image data piece, the valueindicative of the reproduction change menu is recorded in the menumemory 24 c. When user's request for indicating a menu picture isinputted via the menu indication button 25 in these conditions, thereproduction of the selected digest image data piece is suspended andthen the image data reproducing apparatus 20 starts operating in theinitial-reproduction-information responsive mode. During theinitial-reproduction-information responsive mode of operation, thereproduction controlling section 24 decides that the value indicative ofthe reproduction change menu is recorded in the menu memory 24 c. As aresult, the reproduction controlling section 24 operates to indicate thereproduction change menu picture 110 on the display 23. By referring tothe indicated reproduction change menu picture 110, reproduction changes(reproduction switching) can be implemented as will be mentioned later.

The command in the command information piece “1” concerning the buttonpictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c may be to record the value indicative ofthe reproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c. In this case, inthe presence of the inputting of user's request for indicating a menupicture via the menu indication button 25 during the reproduction ofselected main image data pieces, the reproduction change menu picture110 is indicated on the display 23.

The command information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning the buttonpicture 73 a may be replaced by the following command information pieces“1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, and “5”:

command information piece 1=record value indicative of thumbnail menuinto menu memory;

command information piece 2=reproduce main list file named “list file001”;

command information piece 3=reproduce main list file named “list file002”;

command information piece 4=reproduce main list file named “list file003”;

command information piece 3=end.

In this case, all the main image data pieces recorded on the recordingmedium 18 can be reproduced by selecting the button picture 73 a andthen deciding the selection.

(3) Image-Data Reproduction Requested on Reproduction Change Menu

When the thumbnail menu call button picture 112 is selected in thereproduction change menu picture 110 indicated on the display 23 anduser's request for deciding this selection is inputted via the crosskeys and decision button 26, the reproduction controlling section 24controls the reproducing section 22 to read, from the recording medium18, the command information pieces “1” and “2” concerning the thumbnailmenu call button picture 112. Then, the reproduction controlling section24 sequentially executes the commands in the read command informationpieces “1” and “2”.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“1” concerning the thumbnail menu call button picture 112 is to indicatethe thumbnail menu picture 70. Accordingly, the reproduction controllingsection 24 operates to indicate the thumbnail menu picture 70 on thedisplay 23. Specifically, the reproduction controlling section 24controls the reproducing section 22 to read the thumbnail menu picturedata from the recording medium 18 and send the read thumbnail menupicture data to the display 23. The display 23 indicates the thumbnailmenu picture 70 represented by the thumbnail menu picture data. Aspreviously mentioned, the command in the command information piece “2”concerning the thumbnail menu call button picture 112 is “end”. Thus,the reproduction controlling section 24 terminates operating in responseto the commands concerning the thumbnail menu call button picture 112.

Therefore, the user can easily replace the reproduction change menupicture 110 indicated on the display 23 with the thumbnail menu picture70 by selecting the thumbnail menu call button picture 112 and decidingthis selection through the use of the cross keys and decision button 26.

As previously mentioned, when one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and73 c is selected in the indicated thumbnail menu picture 70 and thisselection is decided, the main image data pieces in the groupcorresponding to the selected button picture are reproduced. When one ofthe button pictures 73 d, 73 e, and 73 f is selected in the indicatedthumbnail menu picture 70 and this selection is decided, the digestimage data pieces in the group corresponding to the selected buttonpicture are reproduced.

When the cancel button picture 113 is selected in the reproductionchange menu picture 110 indicated on the display 23 and user's requestfor deciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys and decisionbutton 26, the reproduction controlling section 24 sequentially executesthe commands in the command information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3”concerning the cancel button picture 113.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“1” concerning the cancel button picture 113 is “record value indicativeof reproduction change menu into menu memory”. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 records the value indicative of thereproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c. As previouslymentioned, the command in the command information piece “2” concerningthe cancel button picture 113 is “reproduce from position recorded inresume memory”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24fetches the reproduction-suspension point information from the resumememory 24 a. Then, the reproduction controlling section 24 derives, fromthe fetched reproduction-suspension point information, the ID number(the file name) of the main list file mentioning thereproduction-suspended main image data piece or the digest list filementioning the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, the IDnumber of the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. Subsequently, the reproduction controlling section 24controls the reproducing section 22 to read, from the recording medium18, the main list file or the digest list file having the derived IDnumber (the derived file name). Thereafter, by referring to the readmain list file or the read digest list file, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22 to restartthe reproduction of the reproduction-suspended main image data piecefrom the recording medium 18 at the derived reproduction-suspendedposition. Thus, the reproduction of the main image data pieces or thedigest image data pieces from the recording medium 18 is restartedaccording to the read main list file or the read digest list file. Aspreviously mentioned, the command in the command information piece “3”concerning the cancel button picture 113 is “end”. Thus, thereproduction controlling section 24 terminates operating in response tothe commands concerning the cancel button picture 113.

As previously mentioned, the reproduction of the main image data piecesmentioned in the main list file or the reproduction of the digest imagedata pieces mentioned in the digest list file is suspended when user'srequest for indicating a menu picture is inputted via the menuindication button 25. At this time, on the display 23, the contents ofthe main image data pieces or the digest image data pieces are replacedby the reproduction change menu picture 110. As understood from theprevious description, the user can easily restart the reproduction ofthe main image data pieces or the digest image data pieces from thereproduction-suspension point by selecting the cancel button 113 andthen deciding this selection through the use of the cross keys anddecision button 26.

When the reproduction change button picture 111 is selected in thereproduction change menu picture 110 indicated on the display 23 anduser's request for deciding this selection is inputted via the crosskeys and decision button 26, the reproduction controlling section 24sequentially executes ones among the commands in the command informationpieces “1”-“11” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“1” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111 is “recordvalue indicative of reproduction change menu into menu memory”.Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 records the valueindicative of the reproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“2” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111 is “move tonext command information piece when value indicative of main list fileis recorded in reproduced picture selection memory (ignore next commandinformation piece and move to second next command information piece inother cases)”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24decides whether or not the value indicative of a main list file isrecorded in the reproduced picture selection memory 24 b. This decisionis to determine which of a main image data piece and a digest image datapiece is reproduced before the reproduction change menu picture 110 isindicated on the display 23 in response to the inputting of user'srequest for indicating a menu picture via the menu indication button 25.

In the case where the value indicative of a main list file is recordedin the reproduced picture selection memory 24 b, that is, in the casewhere a main image data piece is reproduced before the indication of thereproduction change menu picture 110, the reproduction controllingsection 24 moves from the operation state about the command informationpiece “2” to the operation state about the command information piece “3”(the next command information piece). As previously mentioned, thecommand information piece “3” concerning the reproduction change picturebutton 111 is to move to the command information piece “8”. Accordingly,the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the command in thecommand information piece “8”.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“8” concerning the reproduction change picture button 111 is “recordvalue indicative of digest list file into reproduced picture selectionmemory”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 erases thevalue indicative of the main list file from the reproduced pictureselection memory 24 b, and then writes the value indicative of thedigest list file thereinto. The digest list file corresponds to the samegroup as that relating to the main list file. The reproductioncontrolling section 24 may write the value indicative of the digest listfile over the value indicative of the main list file in the reproducedpicture selection memory 24 b.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“9” concerning the reproduction change picture button 111 is “obtainnumber N that is list file name recorded in resume memory”. Accordingly,the reproduction controlling section 24 fetches the ID number (the filename) of the main list file from the resume memory 24 a. The main listfile having the fetched ID number mentions the reproduction-suspendedmain image data piece.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“10” concerning the reproduction change picture button 111 is “reproducelist file having name equal to obtained number N plus 100”. Accordingly,the reproduction controlling section 24 adds “100” to the fetched IDnumber of the main list file. The reproduction controlling section 24controls the reproducing section 22 to read, from the recording medium18, the digest list file having an ID number equal to the result of theaddition. The read digest list file corresponds to the same group asthat relating to the main list file. Then, the reproduction controllingsection 24 controls the reproducing section 22 to read digest image datapieces from the recording medium 18 according to the read digest listfile. The reproducing section 22 sends the read digest image data piecesto the display 23. The display 23 indicates the contents of the digestimage data pieces. In this way, digest image data pieces are reproducedaccording to the read digest list file.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“11” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111 is “end”.Thus, the reproduction controlling section 24 terminates operating inresponse to the commands concerning the reproduction change buttonpicture 111.

While the value indicative of a main list file is recorded in thereproduced picture selection memory 24 b and one among the main imagedata pieces mentioned in the main list file is being reproduced, theuser can input a request for indicating a menu picture via the menuindication button 25. Upon the inputting of user's request forindicating a menu picture, the reproduction of the current main imagedata piece is suspended and the reproduction change menu picture 110 isindicated on the display 23. When the reproduction change button picture111 is selected in the indicated reproduction change menu picture 110and this selection is decided by the user through the use of the crosskeys and decision button 26, the reproduction of the digest image datapieces mentioned in the digest list file corresponding to the same groupas that relating to the above main list file is started. In this way,the reproduction of the main image data pieces mentioned in the mainlist file is replaced by the reproduction of the digest image datapieces mentioned in the digest list file corresponding to the same groupas that relating to the main list file.

When the reproduction of the main image data piece is suspended inresponse to the inputting of user's request for indicating a menupicture via the menu indication button 25, the reproduction controllingsection 24 records, into the resume memory 24 a, reproduction-suspensionpoint information representative of the ID number (the file name) of themain list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece, the ID number of the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece, and the reproduction-suspended position in thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. At this time, thereproduction change menu picture 110 starts to be indicated on thedisplay 23. When the reproduction change button picture 111 is selectedin the indicated reproduction change menu picture 110 and this selectionis decided, the reproduction-suspension point information is fetchedfrom the resume memory 24 a. The ID number of the main list filementioning the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, the IDnumber of the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece are detected from the fetched reproduction-suspension pointinformation. Then, the digest list file having an ID number equal to“100” plus the detected ID number of the main list file is obtained fromthe recording medium 18. Subsequently, by referring to the obtaineddigest list file, the reproduction of the reproduction-suspended mainimage data piece is restarted from a position close or corresponding tothe detected reproduction-suspended position. Accordingly, the imagedata reproducing apparatus 20 is convenient to the user.

As previously mentioned, regarding the command in the commandinformation piece “2” concerning the reproduction change button picture111, the reproduction controlling section 24 decides whether or not thevalue indicative of a main list file is recorded in the reproducedpicture selection memory 24 b. In the case where the value indicative ofa digest list file is recorded in the reproduced picture selectionmemory 24 b, that is, in the case where a digest image data piece isreproduced before the indication of the reproduction change menu picture110, the reproduction controlling section 24 moves from the operationstate about the command information piece “2” to the operation stateabout the command information piece “4” (the second next commandinformation piece).

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“4” concerning the reproduction change picture button 111 is “recordvalue indicative of main list file into reproduced picture selectionmemory”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 recordsthe value indicative of the main list file into the reproduced pictureselection memory 24 b. As previously mentioned, the command in thecommand information piece “5” concerning the reproduction change picturebutton 111 is “obtain number N that is list file name recorded in resumememory”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 fetchesthe ID number (the file name) of the digest list file from the resumememory 24 a. The digest list file having the fetched ID number mentionsthe reproduction-suspended main image data piece.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“6” concerning the reproduction change picture button 111 is “reproducelist file having name equal to obtained number N minus 100”.Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 subtracts “100”from the fetched ID number of the digest list file. The reproductioncontrolling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22 to read, fromthe recording medium 18, the main list file having an ID number equal tothe result of the subtraction. The read main list file corresponds tothe same group as that relating to the digest list file. For example,when the fetched ID number of the digest list file is “101”, the IDnumber of the read main list file is “001” (equal to “101” minus “100”).Then, the reproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducingsection 22 to read main image data pieces from the recording medium 18according to the read main list file. The reproducing section 22 sendsthe read main image data pieces to the display 23. The display 23indicates the contents of the main image data pieces. In this way, themain image data pieces are reproduced according to the read main listfile.

As previously mentioned, the command information piece “7” concerningthe reproduction change picture button 111 is to move to the commandinformation piece “11”. Accordingly, the reproduction controllingsection 24 executes the command in the command information piece “11”.As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“11” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111 is “end”.Thus, the reproduction controlling section 24 terminates operating inresponse to the commands concerning the reproduction change buttonpicture 111.

While the value indicative of a digest list file is recorded in thereproduced picture selection memory 24 b and one among the digest imagedata pieces mentioned in the digest list file is being reproduced, theuser can input a request for indicating a menu picture via the menuindication button 25. Upon the inputting of user's request forindicating a menu picture, the reproduction of the current digest imagedata piece is suspended and the reproduction change menu picture 110 isindicated on the display 23. When the reproduction change button picture111 is selected in the indicated reproduction change menu picture 110and this selection is decided by the user through the use of the crosskeys and decision button 26, the reproduction of the main image datapieces mentioned in the main list file corresponding to the same groupas that relating to the above digest list file is started. In this way,the reproduction of the digest image data pieces mentioned in the digestlist file is replaced by the reproduction of the main image data piecesmentioned in the main list file corresponding to the same group as thatrelating to the digest list file. An outline of the contents of the mainimage data pieces can be grasped through the reproduction of the digestimage data pieces. When a desired picture is found, the reproduction ofa digest image data piece can be replaced by the reproduction of a mainimage data piece corresponding to the found desired picture. Thereafter,the reproduction of the main image data piece can be replaced by thereproduction of the digest image data piece.

When the reproduction of the current digest image data piece (theportion of a main image data piece) is suspended in response to theinputting of user's request for indicating a menu picture via the menuindication button 25, the reproduction controlling section 24 records,into the resume memory 24 a, reproduction-suspension point informationrepresentative of the ID number of the digest list file mentioning thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, the ID number of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. At this time, the reproduction change menu picture 110starts to be indicated on the display 23. When the reproduction changebutton picture 111 is selected in the indicated reproduction change menupicture 110 and this selection is decided, the reproduction-suspensionpoint information is fetched from the resume memory 24 a. The ID numberof the digest list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece, the ID number of the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece, and the reproduction-suspended position in thereproduction-suspended main image data piece are detected from thefetched reproduction-suspension point information. Then, the main listfile having an ID number equal to the detected ID number of the digestlist file minus “100” is obtained from the recording medium 18.Subsequently, by referring to the obtained main list file, thereproduction of the reproduction-suspended main image data piece isrestarted from the detected reproduction-suspended position.Accordingly, the image data reproducing apparatus 20 is convenient tothe user.

When switching between the reproduction of main image data pieces andthe reproduction of digest image data pieces is performed as previouslymentioned, the reproduction controlling section 24 implements thefollowing procedure. First, the reproduction controlling section 24decides whether or not user's request for indicating a menu picture isinputted via the menu indication button 25. In the absence of theinputting of user's request for indicating a menu picture, thereproduction of the main image data pieces or the digest image datapieces is continued until being completed. Thereafter, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 executes the command in the last one of thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning the buttonpictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c or the command in the last one of thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” concerning the buttonpictures 73 d, 73 e, and 73 f. As previously mentioned, the command inthe last command information piece is “end”. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 terminates the reproduction of themain image data pieces or the digest image data pieces.

On the other hand, in the presence of the inputting of user's requestfor indicating a menu picture via the menu indication button 25 duringthe reproduction of the main image data pieces or the digest image datapieces, the reproduction controlling section 24 suspends thereproduction. Since the digest image data pieces are the portions of themain image data pieces, suspending the reproduction of the digest imagedata pieces means suspending the reproduction of the portions of themain image data pieces. The reproduction controlling section 24 detectsthe ID number (the file name) of the main list file mentioning thereproduction-suspended main image data piece or the digest list filementioning the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, the IDnumber of the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. The reproduction-suspended position is expressed by thenumber of frames, GOPs, or bytes counted from the head of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. The reproduction-suspendedposition may be expressed by the time elapsed from the momentcorresponding to the head of the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece. The reproduction controlling section 24 records, into the resumememory 24 a, reproduction-suspension point information representative ofthe detected ID number (the detected file name) of the main list file orthe digest list file, the detected ID number of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, and the detectedreproduction-suspended position. Then, the image data reproducingapparatus 20 starts operating in the initial-reproduction-informationresponsive mode.

In these cases, the reproduction controlling section 23 always recordsthe value indicative of the reproduction change menu into the menumemory 24 c in response to the selection of the reproduction changebutton picture 111 or the cancel button picture 113 and the decision ofthis selection before the initial-reproduction-information responsivemode of operation is started. Thus, during theinitial-reproduction-information responsive mode of operation, thereproduction controlling section 24 decides that the value indicative ofthe reproduction change menu is recorded in the menu memory 24 c. As aresult, the reproduction controlling section 24 operates to indicate thereproduction change menu picture 110 on the display 23.

In this way, when the reproduction change button picture 111 or thecancel button picture 113 is selected in the indicated reproductionchange menu picture 110 and this selection is decided, the reproductionof main image data pieces or digest image data pieces is started.Thereafter, upon the inputting of user's request for indicating a menupicture, the reproduction change menu picture 110 is always indicated onthe display 23 again. By selecting the reproduction change buttonpicture 111 in the indicated reproduction change menu picture 110 anddeciding this selection, switching between the reproduction of the mainimage data pieces and the reproduction of the digest image data piecesis performed. Accordingly, it is possible to easily implement two-wayswitching between the reproduction of the main image data pieces and thereproduction of the digest image data pieces.

As previously mentioned, in the case where the reproduction change menubutton 111 is selected in the indicated reproduction change menu picture110 and this selection is decided after the reproduction of a main imagedata piece is suspended, the reproduction of a digest image data pieceis started from a position close or corresponding to thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. On the other hand, in the case where the reproduction changemenu button 111 is selected in the indicated reproduction change menupicture 110 and this selection is decided after the reproduction of adigest image data piece is suspended, the reproduction of a main imagedata piece is started from the reproduction-suspended position.Therefore, it is possible to implement two-way switching between thereproduction of main image data pieces and the reproduction of digestimage data pieces. The image data reproducing apparatus 20 isconvenient.

Thus, switching between the reproduction of first image data pieces(main image data pieces) in a group and the reproduction of second imagedata pieces (digest image data pieces) in a group corresponding to thathaving the first image data pieces can be performed. Therefore,switching between multiple angles can be implemented. Regarding a movein which first and second characters exist, switching between theplayback of a stream of pictures featuring the first character and theplayback of a stream of pictures featuring the second character can beperformed.

FIG. 18 shows the hardware structure of the image data reproducingapparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 18, the image data reproducing apparatus20 includes a computer 60. The reproduction controlling section 24 and apart of the reproducing section 22 in FIG. 17 are implemented by thecomputer 60.

The computer 60 has an I/O port 60A, a CPU 60B, a ROM 60C, and a RAM 60Dwhich are connected by a bus. The display 23 is connected with the I/Oport 60A of the computer 60.

The image data reproducing apparatus 20 includes the drive 18A for therecording medium 18. The drive 18A is connected with the I/O port 60A ofthe computer 60. The reproducing section 22 in FIG. 17 is partiallyimplemented by the drive 18A.

The image data reproducing apparatus 20 includes a user interface 28connected with the I/O port 60A of the computer 60. The user interface28 contains the menu indication button 25, the cross keys and decisionbutton 26, and the reproduction operation inputting section 27 in FIG.17. The user can input various requests into the computer 60 via theuser interface 28.

The computer 60 or the CPU 60B operates in accordance with a controlprogram (a computer program) stored in the ROM 60C and the RAM 60D. Thecontrol program is designed to enable the computer 60 or the CPU 60B toimplement actions mentioned hereafter.

The computer 60 or the CPU 60B provides the resume memory 24 a, thereproduced picture selection memory 24 b, and the menu memory 24 c inthe RAM 60D.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a first segment of the control program for thecomputer 60 (the CPU 60B) which relates to theinitial-reproduction-information responsive mode of operation of theimage data reproducing apparatus 20.

As shown in FIG. 19, a first step S210 of the program segment controlsthe drive 18A to obtain the initial reproduction information from therecording medium 18.

A step S220 following the step S2 10 incorporates the obtained initialreproduction information into a later part of the present programsegment.

A step S230 subsequent to the step S220 decides whether or not the valueindicative of the reproduction change menu is recorded in the menumemory 24 c. The step S230 relates to the command information piece “1”in the initial reproduction information. When the value indicative ofthe reproduction change menu is recorded in the menu memory 24 c, theprogram advances from the step S230 to a step S250. Otherwise, theprogram advances from the step S230 to a step S240.

The step S240 controls the drive 18A to read the main portion of thethumbnail menu picture data from the recording medium 18. The step S240feeds the read main portion of thumbnail menu picture data to thedisplay 23, and controls the display 23 to indicate the thumbnail menupicture 70 represented by the fed main portion of the thumbnail menupicture data. The step S240 is provided by the command information piece“3” in the initial reproduction information. After the step S240, thecurrent execution cycle of the program segment ends.

The step S250 controls the drive 18A to read the main portion of thereproduction change menu picture data from the recording medium 18. Thestep S250 feeds the read main portion of the reproduction change menupicture data to the display 23, and controls the display 23 to indicatethe reproduction change menu picture 110 represented by the fed mainportion of the reproduction change menu picture data. The step S250 isprovided by the command information piece “5” in the initialreproduction information. After the step S250, the current executioncycle of the program segment ends.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a second segment of the control program forthe computer 60 (the CPU 60B) which relates to the image-datareproducing mode of operation of the image data reproducing apparatus 20in response to the selection of one from the button pictures 73 a-73 fin the indicated thumbnail menu picture 70 and the decision of thisselection, or in response to the selection of one from the buttonpictures 73 a-73 f in the indicated thumbnail menu picture 70 and theinputting of user's request for reproduction start.

As shown in FIG. 20, a first step S310 of the program segment controlsthe drive 18A to obtain the command information pieces concerning theselected button picture from the recording medium 18. The step S310incorporates the obtained command information pieces into a later partof the program segment.

A step S320 following the step S310 writes the value indicative of thethumbnail menu into the menu memory 24 c when the selected buttonpicture is one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c. The stepS320 writes the value indicative of the reproduction change menu intothe menu memory 24 c when the selected button picture is one of thebutton pictures 73 d, 73 e, and 73 f. The step S320 writes the valueindicative of a digest list file into the reproduced picture selectionmemory 24 b when the selected button picture is one of the buttonpictures 73 d, 73 e, and 73 f. The digest list file corresponds to thegroup relating to the selected button picture 73 d, 73 e, or 73 f. Thestep S320 is provided by the command information piece “1” when theselected button picture is one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73c. The step S320 is provided by the command information pieces “1” and“2” when the selected button picture is one of the button pictures 73 d,73 e, and 73 f.

A step S330 subsequent to the step S320 controls the drive 18A toobtain, from the recording medium 18, the main list file or the digestlist file corresponding to the selected button picture. The step S330controls the drive 18A to start reproducing main image data pieces ordigest image data pieces from the recording medium 18 according to theobtained main list file or the obtained digest list file. The step S330controls the display 23 to indicate the contents of the reproduced mainimage data pieces or the reproduced digest image data pieces. The stepS330 is provided by the command information piece “2” when the selectedbutton picture is one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c. Thestep S330 is provided by the command information piece “3” when theselected button picture is one of the button pictures 73 d, 73 e, and 73f.

A step S340 following the step S330 decides whether or not user'srequest for indicating a menu picture is inputted via the user interface28 before the completion of the reproduction of the main image datapieces or the digest image data pieces. When the step S340 decides thatuser's request for indicating a menu picture is inputted, the programadvances from the step S340 to a step S370. Otherwise, the programadvances from the step S340 to a step S360.

Provided that the reproduction of the main image data pieces or thedigest image data pieces has been completed, the program advances fromthe step S340 to the step S360. The step S360 deactivates the drive 18Ato terminate the reproducing action. After the step S360, the currentexecution cycle of the program segment ends.

The step S370 deactivates the drive 18A to suspend the reproduction ofthe current main image data piece or the current digest image datapiece. Since the digest image data piece is the portion of the mainimage data piece, suspending the reproduction of the digest image datapiece means suspending the reproduction of the portion of the main imagedata piece.

A step S380 subsequent to the step S370 detects the ID number of themain list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece or the digest list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended mainimage data piece, the ID number of the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece, and the reproduction-suspended position in thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. The step S380 writes, intothe resume memory 24 a, reproduction-suspension point informationrepresentative of the detected ID number of the main list file or thedigest list file, the detected ID number of the reproduction-suspendedmain image data piece, and the detected reproduction-suspended position.After the step S380, the program segment advances to the step S210 inFIG. 19.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are a flowchart of a third segment of the controlprogram for the computer 60 (the CPU 60B) which relates to theimage-data reproducing mode of operation of the image data reproducingapparatus 20 in response to the selection of one from the buttonpictures 111, 112, and 113 in the indicated reproduction change menupicture 110 and the decision of this selection.

As shown in FIG. 21, a first step S410 of the program segment determineswhether or not the thumbnail menu call button picture 112 is selectedand this selection is decided on the basis of the output signals fromthe user interface 28. When the thumbnail menu call button picture 112is selected and this selection is decided, the program advances from thestep S410 to a step S412. Otherwise, the program advances from the stepS410 to a step S420.

The step S412 controls the drive 18A to read, from the recording medium18, the command information pieces “1” and “2” concerning the thumbnailmenu call button picture 112. The S412 incorporates the read commandinformation pieces “1” and “2” into a later part of the program segment.Then, the step S412 controls the drive 18A to read the main portion ofthe thumbnail menu picture data from the recording medium 18. The stepS412 controls the display 23 to indicate the thumbnail menu picture 70represented by the read main portion of the thumbnail menu picture data.The step S412 is partially provided by the command information piece “1”concerning the thumbnail menu call button picture 112. After the stepS412, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.

The step S420 determines whether or not the cancel button picture 113 isselected and this selection is decided on the basis of the outputsignals from the user interface 28. When the cancel button picture 113is selected and this selection is decided, the program advances from thestep S420 to a step S422. Otherwise, the program advances from the stepS420 to a step S430.

The step S422 controls the drive 18A to read, from the recording medium18, the command information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning thecancel button picture 113. The S422 incorporates the read commandinformation pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” into a later part of the programsegment. Then, the step S422 writes the value indicative of thereproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c. The step S422 ispartially provided by the command information piece “1” concerning thecancel button picture 113.

A step S424 following the step S422 reads the reproduction-suspensionpoint information from the resume memory 24 a. The step S424 derives,from the read reproduction-suspension point information, the ID numberof the main list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece or the digest list file mentioning the reproduction-suspendedmain image data piece, the ID number of the reproduction-suspended mainimage data piece, and the reproduction-suspended position in thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. Then, the step S424controls the drive 18A to read, from the recording medium 18, the mainlist file or the digest list file having the derived ID number.Subsequently, by referring to the read main list file or the read digestlist file, the step S424 controls the drive 18A to restart reproducingthe reproduction-suspended main image data piece from the recordingmedium 18 at the reproduction-suspended position or a position close orcorresponding to the reproduction-suspended position. Thus, the stepS424 restarts the reproduction of the main image data pieces or thedigest image data pieces from the recording medium 18 according to theread main list file or the read digest list file. The step S424 controlsthe display 23 to indicate the contents of the reproduced main imagedata pieces or the reproduced digest image data pieces. The step S424 isprovided by the command information piece “2” concerning the cancelbutton picture 113. After the step S424, the program advances to a stepS460 in FIG. 22.

The step S430 determines whether or not the reproduction change buttonpicture 111 is selected and this selection is decided on the basis ofthe output signals from the user interface 28. When the reproductionchange button picture 111 is selected and this selection is decided, theprogram advances from the step S430 to a step S435. Otherwise, theprogram returns from the step S430 to the step S410.

The step S435 controls the drive 18A to read, from the recording medium18, the command information pieces “1”-“11” concerning the reproductionchange button picture 111. The S435 incorporates the read commandinformation pieces “1”-“11” into a later part of the program segment.Then, the step S435 writes the value indicative of the reproductionchange menu into the menu memory 24 c. The step S435 is partiallyprovided by the command information piece “1” concerning thereproduction change button picture 111.

A step S440 following the step S435 decides whether or not the valueindicative of a main list file is stored in the reproduced pictureselection memory 24 b. The step S440 relates to the command informationpiece “2” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111. Whenthe value indicative of a main list file is stored in the reproducedpicture selection memory 24 b, the program advances from the step S440to a step S442. Otherwise, the program advances from the step S440 to astep S452.

The step S442 writes the value indicative of a digest list file into thereproduced picture selection memory 24 b. The digest list filecorresponds to the same group as that relating to the main list filementioning the reproduction-suspended main image data piece. The stepS442 is provided by the command information piece “8” concerning thereproduction change button picture 111.

A step S444 subsequent to the step S442 reads thereproduction-suspension point information from the resume memory 24 a.The step S444 derives, from the read reproduction-suspension pointinformation, the ID number of the main list file mentioning thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, the ID number of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. The step S444 is partially provided by the commandinformation piece “9” concerning the reproduction change button picture111.

A step S446 following the step S444 adds “100” to the derived ID numberof the main list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. The step S446 controls the drive 18A to read, from therecording medium 18, the digest list file having an ID number equal tothe result of the addition. Then, according to the read digest listfile, the step S446 controls the drive 18A to start reproducing digestimage data pieces from the recording medium 18 at a position close orcorresponding to the derived reproduction-suspended position in thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. The step S446 controls thedisplay 23 to indicate the contents of the reproduced digest image datapieces. The step S446 is provided by the command information piece “10”concerning the reproduction change button picture 111. After the stepS446, the program advances to the step S460 in FIG. 22.

The step S452 writes the value indicative of a main list file into thereproduced picture selection memory 24 b. The main list file correspondsto the same group as that relating to the digest list file mentioningthe reproduction-suspended main image data piece. The step S452 isprovided by the command information piece “4” concerning thereproduction change button picture 111.

A step S454 subsequent to the step S452 reads thereproduction-suspension point information from the resume memory 24 a.The step S454 derives, from the read reproduction-suspension pointinformation, the ID number of the digest list file mentioning thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, the ID number of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. The step S454 is partially provided by the commandinformation piece “5” concerning the reproduction change button picture111.

A step S456 following the step S454 subtracts “100” from the derived IDnumber of the digest list file mentioning the reproduction-suspendedmain image data piece. The step S456 controls the drive 18A to read,from the recording medium 18, the main list file having an ID numberequal to the result of the subtraction. Then, according to the read mainlist file, the step S456 controls the drive 18A to start reproducingmain image data pieces from the recording medium 18 at the derivedreproduction-suspended position. The step S456 controls the display 23to indicate the contents of the reproduced main image data pieces. Thestep S456 is provided by the command information piece “6” concerningthe reproduction change button picture 111. After the step S456, theprogram advances to the step S460 in FIG. 22.

As shown in FIG. 22, the step S460 decides whether or not user's requestfor indicating a menu picture is inputted via the user interface 28before the completion of the reproduction of the main image data piecesor the digest image data pieces. When the step S460 decides that user'srequest for indicating a menu picture is inputted, the program advancesfrom the step S460 to a step S465. Otherwise, the program advances fromthe step S460 to a step S480.

Provided that the reproduction of the main image data pieces or thedigest image data pieces has been completed, the program advances fromthe step S460 to the step S480. The step S480 deactivates the drive 18Ato terminate the reproducing action. After the step S480, the currentexecution cycle of the program segment ends.

The step S465 deactivates the drive 18A to suspend the reproduction ofthe current main image data piece or the current digest image datapiece. Since the digest image data piece is the portion of the mainimage data piece, suspending the reproduction of the digest image datapiece means suspending the reproduction of the portion of the main imagedata piece.

A step S470 subsequent to the step S465 detects the ID number of themain list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece or the digest list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended mainimage data piece, the ID number of the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece, and the reproduction-suspended position in thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. The step S470 writes, intothe resume memory 24 a, reproduction-suspension point informationrepresentative of the detected ID number of the main list file or thedigest list file, the detected ID number of the reproduction-suspendedmain image data piece, and the detected reproduction-suspended position.After the step S470, the program segment advances to the step S210 inFIG. 19.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 23 shows an image data recording and reproducing apparatus 30according to a second embodiment of this invention. The image datarecording and reproducing apparatus 30 includes a combination of theimage data recording apparatus 10 in FIG. 1 and the image datareproducing apparatus 20 in FIG. 17.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment of this invention is similar to the first or secondembodiment thereof except for design changes mentioned hereafter.

In the third embodiment of this invention, the image data reproducingapparatus 20 implements a reproduction starting procedure when user'srequest for reproduction start is inputted into the apparatus 20 bydepressing a reproduction start button on the reproduction operationinputting section 27. User's request for reproduction start may beinputted into the apparatus 20 by selecting a reproduction start buttonpicture indicated on the display 23 and deciding this selection throughthe use of the cross keys and decision button 26.

The image data reproducing apparatus 20 may implement the reproductionstarting procedure when a power supply to the apparatus 20 is turned onor when the recording medium 18 is connected with or inserted into theapparatus 20.

During the reproduction starting procedure, the reproduction controllingsection 24 obtains the initial reproduction information from therecording medium 18 through the use of the reproducing section 22. Aspreviously mentioned, the initial reproduction information has thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, and “6”. Thereproduction controlling section 24 sequentially executes ones among thecommands in the command information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, and“6” in that order. Thereby, the reproduction controlling section 24implements reproduction control in accordance with the initialreproduction information.

First, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the command inthe command information piece “1”. As previously mentioned, the commandin the command information piece “1” is to move to the next commandinformation piece (the command information piece “2”) when the valueindicative of the reproduction change menu is recorded in the menumemory 24 c, and is to ignore the next command information piece andmove to the second next command information piece (the commandinformation piece “3”) in the other cases. Normally, an initial valuedifferent from the value indicative of the reproduction change menu isrecorded in the menu memory 24 c. Therefore, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 ignores the command information piece “2”, andthen executes the command in the command information piece “3”.

As previously mentioned, the command information piece “3” is toreproduce and indicate the thumbnail menu picture 70. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22to read the thumbnail menu picture data from the recording medium 18 andsend the thumbnail menu picture data to the display 23. The display 23indicates the thumbnail menu picture 70 represented by the thumbnailmenu picture data.

Thereafter, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the commandin the command information piece “4”. As previously mentioned, thecommand information piece “4” is to move to the command informationpiece “6”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 executesthe command in the command information piece “6”. Since the command inthe command information piece “6” is “end” as previously mentioned, thereproduction controlling section 24 terminates the reproduction controlwhich responds to the initial reproduction information. Preferably, thethumbnail menu picture 70 continues to be indicated on the display 23until the reproduction controlling section 24 implements reproductioncontrol for the next time.

The thumbnail menu picture 70 indicated on the display 23 has thethumbnail pictures 71 a-71 f and the button pictures 73 a-73 f. Thebutton pictures 73 a-73 f correspond to the thumbnail pictures 71 a-71f, respectively. Generally, when the user finds desired one among thethumbnail pictures 71 a-71 f, the user selects one, which corresponds tothe desired thumbnail picture, from the button pictures 73 a-73 f andthen decides this selection through the use of the cross keys anddecision button 26. The control information in the thumbnail menupicture data has the direction information pieces for each of the buttonpictures 73 a-73 f. The direction information pieces represent to whichof the button pictures 73 a-73 f movements from the present buttonshould be made in response to inputted requests for up, down, left, andright movements. The user's request inputted via the cross keys anddecision button 26 corresponds to one of the inputted requests for up,down, left, and right movements, and relates to one among the up, down,right, and left buttons relating to the selected button picture.

For example, when the button picture 73 a is selected and user's requestfor right movement is inputted via the cross keys and decision button26, the button picture 73 b is newly selected. Then, when user's requestfor down movement is inputted via the cross keys and decision button 26,the button picture 73 e is newly selected. In the case where theselection of the button picture 73 e is decided through the use of thecross keys and decision button 26, the reproduction controlling section24 starts sequentially executing the commands in the command informationpieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” concerning the button picture 73 e.

The control information in the thumbnail menu picture data may have apiece denoting predetermined one among the button pictures 73 a-73 fwhich should be selected first upon the indication of the thumbnail menupicture 70 on the display 23. In this case, when the thumbnail menupicture 70 is indicated, the predetermined one among the button pictures73 a-73 f is selected first.

By referring to the output signal from the cross keys and decisionbutton 26, the reproduction controlling section 24 decides whether oneof the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c or one of the buttonpictures 73 d, 73 e, and 73 f is selected in the indicated thumbnailmenu picture 70 and user's request for deciding this selection isinputted.

When one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c is selected in thethumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request for deciding this selectionis inputted via the cross keys and decision button 26, the main imagedata pieces in the group corresponding to the selected button pictureare reproduced from the recording medium 18.

In the case where the button picture 73 a is selected in the thumbnailmenu picture 70 and user's request for deciding this selection isinputted via the cross keys and decision button 26, the main image datapieces in the first group are reproduced from the recording medium 18.Specifically, the reproduction controlling section 24 obtains thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning the selectedbutton picture 73 a from the recording medium 18 via the reproducingsection 22. The reproduction controlling section 24 sequentiallyexecutes the commands in the obtained command information pieces “1”,“2”, and “3”.

First, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the command inthe command information piece “1” concerning the selected button picture73 a. As previously mentioned, the command in the command informationpiece “1” takes the binary state “1000 0000 0000 0010” and is to recordthe value indicative of the thumbnail menu into the menu memory 24 c.Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 records the value“0000 0010”, that is, the value indicative of the thumbnail menu pictureinto the menu memory 24 c.

Second, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the command inthe command information piece “2” concerning the selected button picture73 a. As previously mentioned, the command in the command informationpiece “2” is to reproduce the main list file named “list file 001”.Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 obtains the mainlist file “001” from the recording medium 18 via the reproducing section22. By referring to the obtained main list file “001”, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22 tosequentially read the main image data pieces in the first group from therecording medium 18 and send the read main image data pieces to thedisplay 23. The contents of the main image data pieces in the firstgroup are sequentially reproduced by the display 23.

In the absence of the inputting of user's request for indicating a menupicture via the menu indication button 25 during the reproduction of themain image data pieces in the first group, the reproduction is continueduntil being completed. Thereafter, the reproduction controlling section24 executes the command in the command information piece “3” concerningthe selected button picture 73 a. As previously mentioned, the commandin the command information piece “3” is “end”. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 terminates operating in response tothe commands concerning the selected button picture 73 a. At this time,the reproduction controlling section 24 may operate to indicate, on thedisplay 23, a blue back picture or a message that reproduction has beencompleted and stopped.

On the other hand, in the presence of the inputting of user's requestfor indicating a menu picture via the menu indication button 25 duringthe reproduction of the main image data pieces in the first group, thereproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22to suspend the reproduction. At this time, the reproduction controllingsection 24 detects the ID number (the file name) of the main list filementioning the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, the IDnumber of the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. The reproduction-suspended position is expressed by thenumber of frames, GOPs, or bytes counted from the head of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. The reproduction-suspendedposition may be expressed by the time elapsed from the momentcorresponding to the head of the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece. The reproduction controlling section 24 records, into the resumememory 24 a, reproduction-suspension point information representative ofthe detected ID number (the detected file name) of the main list file,the detected ID number of the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece, and the detected reproduction-suspended position. Then, the imagedata reproducing apparatus 20 starts operating in theinitial-reproduction-information responsive mode.

In this way, the value indicative of the thumbnail menu is recorded intothe menu memory 24 c according to the command in the command informationpiece “1” concerning the selected button picture 73 a and thereproduction-suspension point information representative of the detectedID number (the list file “001”) of the main list file is recorded intothe resume memory 24 a before the image data reproducing apparatus 20starts operating in the initial-reproduction-information responsivemode.

During the initial-reproduction-information responsive mode ofoperation, the reproduction controlling section 24 sequentially executesones among the commands in the command information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”,“4”, “5”, and “6” in the initial reproduction information. First, thereproduction controlling section 24 executes the command in the commandinformation piece “1”. As previously mentioned, the command in thecommand information piece “1” is to move to the next command informationpiece (the command information piece “2”) when the value indicative ofthe reproduction change menu is recorded in the menu memory 24 c, and isto ignore the next command information piece and move to the second nextcommand information piece (the command information piece “3”) in theother cases. Since the value indicative of the thumbnail menu whichdiffers from the value indicative of the reproduction change menu isrecorded in the menu memory 24 c, the reproduction controlling section24 ignores the command information piece “2”, and then executes thecommand in the command information piece “3”. As previously mentioned,the command information piece “3” is to reproduce and indicate thethumbnail menu picture 70. Accordingly, the reproduction controllingsection 24 controls the reproducing section 22 to read the thumbnailmenu picture data from the recording medium 18 and send the thumbnailmenu picture data to the display 23. The display 23 indicates thethumbnail menu picture 70 represented by the thumbnail menu picturedata. Thereafter, the reproduction controlling section 24 executes thecommand in the command information piece “4”. As previously mentioned,the command information piece “4” is to move to the command informationpiece “6”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 executesthe command in the command information piece “6”. Since the command inthe command information piece “6” is “end” as previously mentioned, thereproduction controlling section 24 terminates the reproduction controlwhich responds to the initial reproduction information.

The command in the command information piece “1” concerning each of thebutton pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c may be changed from “record valueindicative of thumbnail menu into menu memory” to “record valueindicative of reproduction change menu into menu memory”. In this case,during the initial-reproduction-information responsive mode of operationwhich is triggered by the inputting of user's request for indicating amenu picture via the menu indication button 25, the reproduction changemenu picture 110 is indicated on the display 23 instead of the thumbnailmenu picture 70.

The command information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning the buttonpicture 73 a may be replaced by the following command information pieces“1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, and “5”:

command information piece 1=record value indicative of thumbnail menuinto menu memory;

command information piece 2=reproduce main list file named “list file001”;

command information piece 3=reproduce main list file named “list file002”;

command information piece 4=reproduce main list file named “list file003”;

command information piece 3=end.

In this case, all the main image data pieces recorded on the recordingmedium 18 can be reproduced by selecting the button picture 73 a andthen deciding the selection.

When one of the button pictures 73 d, 73 e, and 73 f is selected in theindicated thumbnail menu picture 70 and user's request for deciding thisselection is inputted via the cross keys and decision button 26, thedigest image data pieces in the group corresponding to the selectedbutton picture are reproduced from the recording medium 18.

In the case where the button picture 73 d is selected in the thumbnailmenu picture 70 and user's request for deciding this selection isinputted via the cross keys and decision button 26, the digest imagedata pieces in the first group are reproduced from the recording medium18. Specifically, the reproduction controlling section 24 obtains thecommand information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” concerning theselected button picture 73 d from the recording medium 18 via thereproducing section 22. The reproduction controlling section 24sequentially executes the commands in the obtained command informationpieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”. According to the command in the commandinformation piece “1” concerning the selected button picture 73 d, thereproduction controlling section 24 records the value indicative of thereproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c. Subsequently,according to the command in the command information piece “2” concerningthe selected button picture 73 d, the reproduction controlling section24 records the value indicative of the digest list file into thereproduced picture selection memory 24 b. The digest list filecorresponds to the group relating to the selected button picture 73 d.Thereafter, according to the command in the command information piece“3” concerning the selected button picture 73 d, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 obtains the related digest list file (list file101”) from the recording medium 18 via the reproducing section 22. Byreferring to the obtained digest list file, the reproduction controllingsection 24 controls the reproducing section 22 to sequentially read thedigest image data pieces in the first group from the recording medium 18and send the read digest image data pieces to the display 23. Thecontents of the digest image data pieces in the first group aresequentially reproduced by the display 23.

In the presence of the inputting of user's request for indicating a menupicture via the menu indication button 25 during the reproduction of themain image data pieces or the digest image data pieces, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22 to suspendthe reproduction. Since the digest image data pieces are the portions ofthe main image data pieces, suspending the reproduction of the digestimage data pieces means suspending the reproduction of the portions ofthe main image data pieces. The reproduction controlling section 24detects the ID number (the file name) of the digest list file mentioningthe reproduction-suspended main image data piece, the ID number of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. The reproduction-suspended position is expressed by thenumber of frames, GOPs, or bytes counted from the head of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. The reproduction-suspendedposition may be expressed by the time elapsed from the momentcorresponding to the head of the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece. The reproduction controlling section 24 records, into the resumememory 24 a, reproduction-suspension point information representative ofthe detected ID number (the file name) of the digest list file, thedetected ID number of the reproduction-suspended main image data piece,and the detected reproduction-suspended position. Then, the image datareproducing apparatus 20 starts operating in theinitial-reproduction-information responsive mode.

In this way, the value indicative of the reproduction change menu isrecorded into the menu memory 24 c according to the command in thecommand information piece “1” concerning the selected button picture 73d and the reproduction-suspension point information representative ofthe detected ID number of the digest list file is recorded into theresume memory 24 a before the image data reproducing apparatus 20 startsoperating in the initial-reproduction-information responsive mode.

During the initial-reproduction-information responsive mode ofoperation, the reproduction controlling section 24 sequentially executesones among the commands in the command information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”,“4”, “5”, and “6” in the initial reproduction information. First, thereproduction controlling section 24 executes the command in the commandinformation piece “1”. As previously mentioned, the command in thecommand information piece “1” is to move to the next command informationpiece (the command information piece “2”) when the value indicative ofthe reproduction change menu is recorded in the menu memory 24 c, and isto ignore the next command information piece and move to the second nextcommand information piece (the command information piece “3”) in theother cases. Since the value indicative of the reproduction change menuis recorded in the menu memory 24 c, the reproduction controllingsection 24 executes the command in the command information piece “2”. Aspreviously mentioned, the command in the command information piece “2”is “move to command information piece 5”. Accordingly, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 executes the command in the command informationpiece “5”. As previously mentioned, the command in the commandinformation piece “5” is “reproduce and indicate reproduction changemenu picture”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24controls the reproducing section 22 to read the reproduction change menupicture data from the recording medium 18 and send the read reproductionchange menu picture data to the display 23. The display 23 indicates thereproduction change menu picture 110 represented by the reproductionchange menu picture data. Thereafter, the reproduction controllingsection 24 executes the command in the command information piece “6”.Since the command in the command information piece “6” is “end” aspreviously mentioned, the reproduction controlling section 24 terminatesthe reproduction control which responds to the initial reproductioninformation.

When the cancel button picture 113 is selected in the reproductionchange menu picture 110 indicated on the display 23 and user's requestfor deciding this selection is inputted via the cross keys and decisionbutton 26, the reproduction controlling section 24 sequentially executesthe commands in the command information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3”concerning the cancel button picture 113.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“1” concerning the cancel button picture 113 is “record value indicativeof reproduction change menu into menu memory”. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 records the value indicative of thereproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c. As previouslymentioned, the command in the command information piece “2” concerningthe cancel button picture 113 is “reproduce from position recorded inresume memory”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24fetches the reproduction-suspension point information from the resumememory 24 a. Then, the reproduction controlling section 24 derives, fromthe fetched reproduction-suspension point information, the ID number(the file name) of the digest list file mentioning thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, the ID number of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. Subsequently, the reproduction controlling section 24controls the reproducing section 22 to read, from the recording medium18, the digest list file having the derived ID number (the derived filename). Thereafter, by referring to the read digest list file, thereproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22to restart the reproduction of the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece from the recording medium 18 at the derivedreproduction-suspended position. Thus, the reproduction of the digestimage data pieces from the recording medium 18 is restarted according tothe read digest list file. Therefore, the indication of the contents ofthe digest image data pieces on the display 23 is restarted also.

In this way, when the cancel button picture 113 is selected in thereproduction change menu picture 110 indicated on the display 23 anduser's request for deciding this selection is inputted via the crosskeys and decision button 26, the indication of the contents of thedigest image data piece on the display 23 is restarted from thereproduction-suspended position.

When the thumbnail menu call button picture 112 is selected in thereproduction change menu picture 110 indicated on the display 23 anduser's request for deciding this selection is inputted via the crosskeys and decision button 26, the reproduction controlling section 24controls the reproducing section 22 to read, from the recording medium18, the command information pieces “1” and “2” concerning the thumbnailmenu call button picture 112. Then, the reproduction controlling section24 sequentially executes the commands in the read command informationpieces “1” and “2”.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“1” concerning the thumbnail menu call button picture 112 is to indicatethe thumbnail menu picture 70. Accordingly, the reproduction controllingsection 24 operates to indicate the thumbnail menu picture 70 on thedisplay 23. Specifically, the reproduction controlling section 24controls the reproducing section 22 to read the thumbnail menu picturedata from the recording medium 18 and send the read thumbnail menupicture data to the display 23. The display 23 indicates the thumbnailmenu picture 70 represented by the thumbnail menu picture data. Aspreviously mentioned, the command in the command information piece “2”concerning the thumbnail menu call button picture 112 is “end”. Thus,the reproduction controlling section 24 terminates operating in responseto the commands concerning the thumbnail menu call button picture 112.

When the reproduction change button picture 111 is selected in thereproduction change menu picture 110 indicated on the display 23 anduser's request for deciding this selection is inputted via the crosskeys and decision button 26, the reproduction controlling section 24sequentially executes ones among the commands in the command informationpieces “1”-“11” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“1” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111 is “recordvalue indicative of reproduction change menu into menu memory”.Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 records the valueindicative of the reproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“2” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111 is “move tonext command information piece when value indicative of main list fileis recorded in reproduced picture selection memory (ignore next commandinformation piece and move to second next command information piece inother cases)”. In the case where the button picture 73 d is selected inthe indicated thumbnail menu picture 70 and this selection is decided sothat the digest image data pieces mentioned in the digest list file“101” are reproduced from the recording medium 18, the value indicativeof the digest list file is recorded in the reproduced picture selectionmemory 24 b. Thus, in this case, the reproduction controlling section 24ignores the command information piece “3” and moves to the operationstate about the command information piece “4”. As previously mentioned,the command in the command information piece “4” concerning thereproduction change picture button 111 is “record value indicative ofmain list file into reproduced picture selection memory”. Accordingly,the reproduction controlling section 24 records the value indicative ofthe main list file into the reproduced picture selection memory 24 b.The main list file corresponds to the group relating to the digest listfile mentioning the reproduction-suspended main image data piece. Atthis time, the reproduction controlling section 24 erases the valueindicative of the digest list file from the reproduced picture selectionmemory 24 b.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“5” concerning the reproduction change picture button 111 is “obtainnumber N that is list file name recorded in resume memory”. Accordingly,the reproduction controlling section 24 fetches the ID number (101:thefile name) of the digest list file from the resume memory 24 a. Thedigest list file having the fetched ID number mentions thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. As previously mentioned,the command in the command information piece “6” concerning thereproduction change picture button 111 is “reproduce list file havingname equal to obtained number N minus 100”. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 subtracts “100” from the fetched IDnumber (101) of the digest list file. The result of the subtraction is“001”. The reproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducingsection 22 to read, from the recording medium 18, the main list filehaving the ID number “001”. Then, the reproduction controlling section24 controls the reproducing section 22 to read the main image datapieces from the recording medium 18 according to the read main listfile. The reproducing section 22 sends the read main image data piecesto the display 23. The display 23 indicates the contents of the mainimage data pieces. In this way, the main image data pieces mentioned inthe main list file having the ID number “001”, that is, the main imagedata pieces in the first group are reproduced from the recording medium18.

When the reproduction of the main image data pieces in the first groupfrom the recording medium 18 is completed, the reproduction controllingsection 24 moves to the operation state about the command informationpiece “7” concerning the reproduction change picture button 111. Aspreviously mentioned, the command information piece “7” is to move tothe command information piece “11”. Accordingly, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 executes the command in the command informationpiece “11”. As previously mentioned, the command in the commandinformation piece “11” concerning the reproduction change button picture111 is “end”. Thus, the reproduction controlling section 24 terminatesoperating in response to the commands concerning the reproduction changebutton picture 111.

In the absence of the inputting of user's request for indicating a menupicture via the menu indication button 25 during the reproduction of thedigest image data pieces mentioned in the digest list file “101”, thereproduction is continued until being completed. Thereafter, thereproduction controlling section 24 executes the command in the commandinformation piece “4” concerning the button picture 73 d. As previouslymentioned, the command in the command information piece “4” is “end”.Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 terminates theaction for the reproduction of the digest image data pieces.

The command information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” concerning thebutton picture 73 d may be replaced by the following command informationpieces “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, and “6”:

command information piece 1=record value indicative of reproductionchange menu into menu memory;

command information piece 2=record value indicative of digest list fileinto reproduced picture selection memory;

command information piece 3=reproduce digest list file named “list file101 ”;

command information piece 4=reproduce digest list file named “list file102”;

command information piece 5=reproduce digest list file named “list file103”;

command information piece 6=end.

In this case, all the digest image data pieces in the first, second, andthird groups can be reproduced from the recording medium 18 by selectingthe button picture 73 d and then deciding the selection. In the presenceof the inputting of user's request for indicating a menu picture via themenu indication button 25 during the reproduction of a digest image datapiece, the reproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducingsection 22 to suspend the reproduction and replace the reproduction ofthe digest image data piece with the reproduction of the main image datapiece in the same group as that having the digest image data piece.Then, in the presence of the inputting of user's request for indicatinga menu picture via the menu indication button 25 during the reproductionof a main image data piece, the reproduction controlling section 24controls the reproducing section 22 to suspend the reproduction andrecords, into the resume memory 24 a, reproduction-suspension pointinformation representative of the ID number (the file name) of the mainlist file mentioning the reproduction-suspended main image data piece,the ID number of the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, andthe reproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended mainimage data piece. For example, the ID number of the main list filementioning the reproduction-suspended main image data piece is “001”.Then, the image data reproducing apparatus 20 starts operating in theinitial-reproduction-information responsive mode.

During the initial-reproduction-information responsive mode ofoperation, the reproduction controlling section 24 sequentially executesones among the commands in the command information pieces “1”, “2”, “3”,“4”, “5”, and “6” in the initial reproduction information. First, thereproduction controlling section 24 executes the command in the commandinformation piece “1”. As previously mentioned, the command in thecommand information piece “1” is to move to the next command informationpiece (the command information piece “2”) when the value indicative ofthe reproduction change menu is recorded in the menu memory 24 c, and isto ignore the next command information piece and move to the second nextcommand information piece (the command information piece “3”) in othercases. Since the value indicative of the reproduction change menu hasbeen recorded in the menu memory 24 c according to the commandinformation piece “1” concerning the reproduction change button picture111, the reproduction controlling section 24 moves to the operationstate about the command information piece “2” in the initialreproduction information. The reproduction controlling section 24executes the command in the command information piece “2”. As previouslymentioned, the command in the command information piece “2” is “move tocommand information piece 5”. Accordingly, the reproduction controllingsection 24 moves to the operation state about the command informationpiece “5”. The reproduction controlling section 24 executes the commandin the command information piece “5”. As previously mentioned, thecommand in the command information piece “5” is “reproduce and indicatereproduction change menu picture”. Accordingly, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22 to read thereproduction change menu picture data from the recording medium 18 andsend the read reproduction change menu picture data to the display 23.The display 23 indicates the reproduction change menu picture 110represented by the reproduction change menu picture data. Thereafter,the reproduction controlling section 24 executes the command in thecommand information piece “6”. Since the command in the commandinformation piece “6” is “end” as previously mentioned, the reproductioncontrolling section 24 terminates the reproduction control whichresponds to the initial reproduction information.

As previously mentioned, when one of the button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and73 c is selected in the indicated thumbnail menu picture 70 and thisselection is decided via the cross keys and decision button 26, the mainimage data pieces mentioned in the main list file corresponding to theselected button picture are reproduced. In the presence of the inputtingof user's request for indicating a menu picture via the menu indicationbutton 25 during the reproduction of the main image data pieces, thethumbnail menu picture 70 is indicated on the display 23.

On the other hand, in the presence of the inputting of user's requestfor indicating a menu picture via the menu indication button 25 duringthe reproduction of the digest image data pieces, the reproductionchange menu picture 110 is indicated on the display 23. When thereproduction change button picture 111 is selected in the indicatedreproduction change menu picture 110 and this selection is decided viathe cross keys and decision button 26, the reproduction of the mainimage data pieces is implemented. In the presence of the inputting ofuser's request for indicating a menu picture via the menu indicationbutton 25 during the reproduction of the main image data pieces, thereproduction change menu picture 110 is indicated on the display 23.

When the thumbnail menu call button picture 112 or the cancel buttonpicture 113 is selected in the indicated reproduction change menupicture 110 and this selection is decided via the cross keys anddecision button 26, the reproduction controlling section 24 implements aprocessing sequence similar to the above-mentioned one performedregarding the reproduction of the digest image data pieces.

On the other hand, when the reproduction change button picture 111 isselected in the indicated reproduction change menu picture 110 and thisselection is decided via the cross keys and decision button 26, thereproduction controlling section 24 sequentially executes ones among thecommands in the command information pieces “1”-“11” concerning thereproduction change button picture 111.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“1” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111 is “recordvalue indicative of reproduction change menu into menu memory”.Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 records the valueindicative of the reproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“2” concerning the reproduction change button picture 111 is “move tonext command information piece when value indicative of main list fileis recorded in reproduced picture selection memory (ignore next commandinformation piece and move to second next command information piece inother cases)”. In the case of the replacement of the reproduction of thedigest image data pieces mentioned in the digest list file “101” withthe reproduction of the main image data pieces mentioned in the mainlist file “001”, the value indicative of the main list file has beenrecorded in the reproduced picture selection memory 24 b according tothe command information piece “4” concerning the reproduction changebutton picture 111. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24moves to the operation state about the command information piece “3”.The reproduction controlling section 24 executes the command in thecommand information piece “3”. As previously mentioned, the commandinformation piece “3” concerning the reproduction change picture button111 is to move to the command information piece “8”. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 moves to the operation state aboutthe command information piece “8”. The reproduction controlling section24 executes the command in the command information piece “8”. Aspreviously mentioned, the command in the command information piece “8”concerning the reproduction change picture button 111 is “record valueindicative of digest list file into reproduced picture selectionmemory”. Accordingly, the reproduction controlling section 24 erases thevalue indicative of the main list file from the reproduced pictureselection memory 24 b, and then writes the value indicative of thedigest list file thereinto. The digest list file corresponds to the samegroup as that relating to the digest list file.

As previously mentioned, the command in the command information piece“9” concerning the reproduction change picture button 111 is “obtainnumber N that is list file name recorded in resume memory”. Accordingly,the reproduction controlling section 24 fetches the ID number (001:thefile name) of the main list file from the resume memory 24 a. Aspreviously mentioned, the command in the command information piece “10”concerning the reproduction change picture button 111 is “reproduce listfile having name equal to obtained number N plus 100”. Accordingly, thereproduction controlling section 24 adds “100” to the fetched ID numberof the main list file. The result of the addition is “101”. Thereproduction controlling section 24 controls the reproducing section 22to read, from the recording medium 18, the digest list file having theID number “101”. Then, the reproduction controlling section 24 controlsthe reproducing section 22 to read the digest image data pieces from therecording medium 18 according to the read digest list file. Thereproducing section 22 sends the read digest image data pieces to thedisplay 23. The display 23 indicates the contents of the digest imagedata pieces. In this way, the digest image data pieces mentioned in thedigest list file “101”, that is, the digest image data pieces in thefirst group are reproduced from the recording medium 18, and arevisualized by the display 23. As previously mentioned, the command inthe command information piece “11” concerning the reproduction changebutton picture 111 is “end”. Thus, the reproduction controlling section24 terminates operating in response to the commands concerning thereproduction change button picture 111.

As previously mentioned, when one of the button pictures 73 d, 73 e, and73 f is selected in the indicated thumbnail menu picture 70 and thisselection is decided via the cross keys and decision button 26, thedigest image data pieces mentioned in the digest list file correspondingto the selected button picture start being reproduced from the recordingmedium 18. Then, in the presence of the inputting of user's request forindicating a menu picture via the menu indication button 25, thereproduction of the current digest image data piece is suspended. Inthis case, the reproduction-suspension point information representativeof the ID number (the file name) of the digest list file mentioning thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, the ID number of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece is recorded into the resume memory 24 a. Thereafter, thereproduction change menu picture 110 is indicated on the display 23.When the reproduction change button picture 111 is selected in theindicated reproduction change menu picture 110 and this selection isdecided via the cross keys and decision button 26, the reproduction ofthe main image data pieces in the same group as that having thereproduction-suspended main image data piece is started from thereproduction-suspended position.

Then, in the presence of the inputting of user's request for indicatinga menu picture via the menu indication button 25, the reproduction ofthe current main image data piece is suspended. In this case, thereproduction-suspension point information representative of the IDnumber (the file name) of the main list file mentioning thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, the ID number of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece is recorded into the resume memory 24 a. Thereafter, thereproduction change menu picture 110 is indicated on the display 23.When the reproduction change button picture 111 is selected in theindicated reproduction change menu picture 110 and this selection isdecided via the cross keys and decision button 26, the reproduction ofthe digest image data pieces in the same group as that having thereproduction-suspended main image data piece is started from a positionclose or corresponding to the reproduction-suspended position in thereproduction-suspended main image data piece.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are a flowchart of a segment of the control program forthe computer 60 (the CPU 60B) which is started when user's request forreproduction start is inputted into the computer 60 via the userinterface 28.

As shown in FIG. 24, a first step S500 accepts the inputted user'srequest for reproduction start.

A step S501 following the step S500 controls the drive 18A to obtain theinitial reproduction information from the recording medium 18. The stepS501 incorporates the obtained initial reproduction information into alater part of the program segment. Then, the step S501 decides whetheror not the value indicative of the reproduction change menu is recordedin the menu memory 24 c. This decision by the step S501 relates to thecommand information piece “1” in the initial reproduction information.In this case, the value indicative of the reproduction change menu isnot recorded in the menu memory 24 c, and the program advances from thestep S501 to a step S502.

The step S502 controls the drive 18A to read the main portion of thethumbnail menu picture data from the recording medium 18. The step S502feeds the read data to the display 23, and controls the display 23 toindicate the thumbnail menu picture 70 represented by the fed data. Thestep S240 is provided by the command information piece “3” in theinitial reproduction information.

A step S503A subsequent to the step S502 refers to the output signalsfrom the user interface 28 and thereby determines whether one of thebutton pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c or one of the button pictures 73 d,73 e, and 73 f is selected in the indicated thumbnail menu picture 70and user's request for deciding this selection is inputted. When one ofthe button pictures 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c is selected and user's requestfor deciding this selection is inputted, the program advances from thestep S503A to a step S503. On the other hand, when one of the buttonpictures 73 d, 73 e, and 73 f is selected and user's request fordeciding this selection is inputted, the program advances from the stepS503A to a step S510 in FIG. 25.

The step S503 controls the drive 18A to obtain the command informationpieces concerning the selected button picture from the recording medium18. The step S503 incorporates the obtained command information piecesinto a later part of the program segment. Then, the step S503 writes thevalue indicative of the thumbnail menu into the menu memory 24 c. Thiswriting action is provided by the command information piece “1”concerning the selected button picture. The step S503 controls the drive18A to obtain, from the recording medium 18, the main list filecorresponding to the selected button picture. The step S503 controls thedrive 18A to start reproducing main image data pieces from the recordingmedium 18 according to the obtained main list file. The step S503controls the display 23 to indicate the contents of the reproduced mainimage data pieces. This reproducing action is provided by the commandinformation piece “2” concerning the selected button picture.

A step S504 following the step S503 decides whether or not user'srequest for indicating a menu picture is inputted via the user interface28 before the completion of the reproduction of the main image datapieces. When the step S504 decides that user's request for indicating amenu picture is inputted, the program advances from the step S504 to astep S505. Otherwise, the program advances from the step S504 to a stepS508.

Provided that the reproduction of the main image data pieces has beencompleted, the program advances from the step S504 to the step S508. Thestep S508 deactivates the drive 18A to terminate the reproducing action.After the step S508, the current execution cycle of the program segmentends.

The step S505 deactivates the drive 18A to suspend the reproduction ofthe current main image data piece. The step S505 detects the ID numberof the main list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece, the ID number of the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece, and the reproduction-suspended position in thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. The step S505 writes, intothe resume memory 24 a, reproduction-suspension point informationrepresentative of the detected ID number of the main list file, thedetected ID number of the reproduction-suspended main image data piece,and the detected reproduction-suspended position.

A step S506 subsequent to the step S505 forces the image datareproducing apparatus 20 to start operating in theinitial-reproduction-information responsive mode. After the step S506,the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.

The step S510 in FIG. 25 controls the drive 18A to obtain the commandinformation pieces concerning the selected button picture from therecording medium 18. The step S510 incorporates the obtained commandinformation pieces into a later part of the program segment. Then, thestep S510 writes the value indicative of the reproduction change menuinto the menu memory 24 c. This writing action is provided by thecommand information piece “1” concerning the selected button picture.The step S510 writes the value indicative of the digest list file intothe reproduced picture selection memory 24 b. The digest list filecorresponds to the group relating to the selected button picture. Thiswriting action is provided by the command information piece “2”concerning the selected button picture. The step S510 controls the drive18A to obtain, from the recording medium 18, the digest list filecorresponding to the selected button picture. The step S510 controls thedrive 18A to start reproducing digest image data pieces from therecording medium 18 according to the obtained digest list file. The stepS510 controls the display 23 to indicate the contents of the reproduceddigest image data pieces. This reproducing action is provided by thecommand information piece “3” concerning the selected button picture.After the step S510, the program advances to a step S511.

The step S511 decides whether or not user's request for indicating amenu picture is inputted via the user interface 28 before the completionof the reproduction of the digest image data pieces or the main imagedata pieces. When the step S511 decides that user's request forindicating a menu picture is inputted, the program advances from thestep S511 to a step S512. Otherwise, the program advances from the stepS511 to a step S520.

Provided that the reproduction of the digest image data pieces or themain image data pieces has been completed, the program advances from thestep S511 to the step S520. The step S520 deactivates the drive 18A toterminate the reproducing action. After the step S520, the currentexecution cycle of the program segment ends.

The step S512 deactivates the drive 18A to suspend the reproduction ofthe current digest image data piece or the current main image datapiece. Since the digest image data piece is the portion of the mainimage data piece, suspending the reproduction of the digest image datapiece means suspending the reproduction of the portion of the main imagedata piece. The step S512 detects the ID number of the digest list fileor the main list file mentioning the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece, the ID number of the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece, and the reproduction-suspended position in thereproduction-suspended main image data piece. The step S512 writes, intothe resume memory 24 a, reproduction-suspension point informationrepresentative of the detected ID number of the digest list file or themain list file, the detected ID number of the reproduction-suspendedmain image data piece, and the detected reproduction-suspended position.The step S512 forces the image data reproducing apparatus 20 to startoperating in the initial-reproduction-information responsive mode.Accordingly, the step S512 controls the drive 18A to obtain the initialreproduction information from the recording medium 18. The step S512incorporates the obtained initial reproduction information into a laterpart of the program segment. Then, the step S512 decides whether or notthe value indicative of the reproduction change menu is recorded in themenu memory 24 c. This decision by the step S512 relates to the commandinformation piece “1” in the initial reproduction information. In thiscase, the value indicative of the reproduction change menu is recordedin the menu memory 24 c, and hence the step S512 sequentially executesthe commands in the command information pieces “2” and “5” in theinitial reproduction information. The step S512 controls the drive 18Ato read the main portion of the reproduction change menu picture datafrom the recording medium 18. The step S512 feeds the read data to thedisplay 23, and controls the display 23 to indicate the reproductionchange menu picture 110 represented by the fed data. The indication ofthe reproduction change menu picture 110 is provided by the commandinformation piece “5” in the initial reproduction information.

A step S513 following the step S512 determines whether or not the cancelbutton picture 113 is selected and this selection is decided on thebasis of the output signals from the user interface 28. When the cancelbutton picture 113 is selected and this selection is decided, theprogram advances from the step S513 to a step S514. Otherwise, theprogram advances from the step S513 to a step S515.

The step S514 controls the drive 18A to read, from the recording medium18, the command information pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” concerning thecancel button picture 113. The S514 incorporates the read commandinformation pieces “1”, “2”, and “3” into a later part of the programsegment. Then, the step S514 writes the value indicative of thereproduction change menu into the menu memory 24 c. This writingoperation is provided by the command information piece “1” concerningthe cancel button picture 113. The step S514 reads thereproduction-suspension point information from the resume memory 24 a.The step S514 derives, from the read reproduction-suspension pointinformation, the ID number of the digest list file or the main list filementioning the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, the IDnumber of the reproduction-suspended main image data piece, and thereproduction-suspended position in the reproduction-suspended main imagedata piece. Then, the step S514 controls the drive 18A to read, from therecording medium 18, the digest list file or the main list file havingthe derived ID number. Subsequently, by referring to the read digestlist file or the read main list file, the step S514 controls the drive18A to restart reproducing the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece from the recording medium 18 at the reproduction-suspendedposition or a position close or corresponding to thereproduction-suspended position. Thus, the step S514 restarts thereproduction of the digest image data pieces or the main image datapieces from the recording medium 18 according to the read digest listfile or the read main list file. The step S514 controls the display 23to indicate the contents of the reproduced digest image data pieces orthe reproduced main image data pieces. The restart of the reproductionis provided by the command information piece “2” concerning the cancelbutton picture 113. After the step S514, the program returns to the stepS511.

The step S515 determines whether or not the thumbnail menu call buttonpicture 112 is selected and this selection is decided on the basis ofthe output signals from the user interface 28. When the thumbnail menucall button picture 112 is selected and this selection is decided, theprogram advances from the step S515 to a step S516. Otherwise, theprogram advances from the step S515 to a step S517.

The step S516 controls the drive 18A to read, from the recording medium18, the command information pieces “1” and “2” concerning the thumbnailmenu call button picture 112. The S516 incorporates the read commandinformation pieces “1” and “2” into a later part of the program segment.Then, the step S516 controls the drive 18A to read the main portion ofthe thumbnail menu picture data from the recording medium 18. The stepS516 controls the display 23 to indicate the thumbnail menu picture 70represented by the read main portion of the thumbnail menu picture data.The indication of the thumbnail menu picture 70 is provided by thecommand information piece “1” concerning the thumbnail menu call buttonpicture 112. After the step S516, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

The step S517 determines whether or not the reproduction change buttonpicture 111 is selected and this selection is decided on the basis ofthe output signals from the user interface 28. When the reproductionchange button picture 111 is selected and this selection is decided, theprogram advances from the step S517 to a step S518. Otherwise, theprogram exits from the step S517, and then the current execution cycleof the program segment ends.

The step S518 controls the drive 18A to read, from the recording medium18, the command information pieces “1”-“11” concerning the reproductionchange button picture 111. The S518 incorporates the read commandinformation pieces “1 ”-“11” into a later part of the program segment.Then, the step S518 performs actions similar to those taken by the stepsS435, S442, S444, S446, S452, S454, and S456 in FIG. 21. Accordingly,the step S518 implements switching between the reproduction of thedigest image data pieces and the reproduction of the main image datapieces in the same group. After the step S518, the program returns tothe step S511.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment of this invention is similar to one of the first tothird embodiments thereof except for design changes mentioned hereafter.In the fourth embodiment of this invention, switching between thereproduction of main image data pieces and the reproduction of digestimage data pieces is designed as follows.

After the reproduction of the current main image data piece issuspended, the reproduction of a selected digest image data piece in thesame group as that having the reproduction-suspended main image datapiece is started. The selected digest image data piece is the portion ofthe main image data piece having the same ID number as that of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece which is represented by thereproduction-suspension point information.

After the reproduction of the current digest image data piece (theportion of the main image data piece) is suspended, the reproduction ofa selected main image data piece in the same group as that having thereproduction-suspended digest image data piece is started. The selectedmain image data piece has the same ID number as that of thereproduction-suspended main image data piece which is represented by thereproduction-suspension point information.

Therefore, the reproduction of a digest image data piece can be replacedby the reproduction of a main image data piece at a position close indisplay time domain to the reproduction-suspended position in the digestimage data piece. In addition, the reproduction of a main image datapiece can be replaced by the reproduction of a digest image data pieceat a position close in display time domain to the reproduction-suspendedposition in the main image data piece.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment of this invention is similar to one of the first tofourth embodiments thereof except for design changes mentionedhereafter.

In the fifth embodiment of this invention, the image data reproducingapparatus 20 includes memories which can be used by the reproductioncontrolling section 24. Different ID numbers are assigned to thememories, respectively.

The bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 being “0010” in FIG. 12 are modified torepresent a command to reproduce a list file recorded in a memoryidentified by a value of variable information.

The command information piece “6” (reproduce list file having name equalto obtained number N minus 100) and the command information piece “10”(reproduce list file having name equal to obtained number N plus 100)are omitted from the command information pieces concerning thereproduction change button picture 111. On the other hand, a commandinformation piece indicating a command to record a value equal toobtained number N minus 100 into a memory identified by a value ofvariable information, and a command information piece indicating acommand to record a value equal to obtained number N plus 100 into amemory identified by a value of variable information are added to thecommand information pieces concerning the reproduction change buttonpicture 111.

A command information piece indicating a command to reproduce a listfile having a name equal to a value recorded in a memory identified by avalue of variable information is added to the command information piecesin the initial reproduction information.

Thereby, it is possible to implement switching between the reproductionof main image data pieces and the reproduction of digest image datapieces.

Sixth Embodiment

A sixth embodiment of this invention is similar to one of the first tofifth embodiments thereof except for design changes mentioned hereafter.In the sixth embodiment of this invention, the resume memory 24 a, thereproduced picture selection memory 24 b, and the menu memory 24 c areformed by a common memory.

Seventh Embodiment

A seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to one of the first tosixth embodiments thereof except for design changes mentioned hereafter.In the seventh embodiment of this invention, the resume memory 24 a, thereproduced picture selection memory 24 b, and the menu memory 24 c arelocated outside the reproduction controlling section 24.

Eighth Embodiment

An eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to one of the first toseventh embodiments thereof except for design changes mentionedhereafter. In the eighth embodiment of this invention, the main imagedata pieces are used as the first image data pieces while commercialimage data pieces relating to the main image data pieces are used as thesecond image data pieces.

Ninth Embodiment

A ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to one of the first toseventh embodiments thereof except for design changes mentionedhereafter. In the ninth embodiment of this invention, the first imagedata pieces are formed by first digest image data pieces while thesecond image data pieces are formed by second digest image data piecesrelating to the first digest image data pieces.

1. An image data recording apparatus comprising: a menu picture datamanaging section for managing first menu picture data containing controlinformation designed to allow switching from reproduction of first imagedata pieces to reproduction of second image data pieces or switchingfrom reproduction of the second image data pieces to reproduction of thefirst image data pieces; and a recording section for obtaining the firstmenu picture data from the menu picture data managing section, and forrecording the obtained first menu picture data, the first image datapieces, and the second image data pieces on a recording medium.
 2. Animage data recording apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the menupicture data managing section operates for managing second menu picturedata containing control information designed to allow startingreproduction of the first image data pieces or the second image datapieces from a desired point or to allow selecting desired one from thefirst image data pieces or the second image data pieces and startingreproduction of the selected desired image data piece, and wherein therecording section operates for obtaining the second menu picture datafrom the menu picture data managing section, and for recording theobtained second menu picture data on the recording medium.
 3. An imagedata recording apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising adigest generating section for generating digest image data piecesrepresenting digests of pictures represented by the first image datapieces, and wherein the recording section operates for using the digestimage data pieces generated by the digest generating section as thesecond image data pieces.
 4. An image data recording apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the control information in the first menupicture data represents: a command to obtain reproduced pictureidentifying information indicating whether an image data piecereproduced before visualization of a first menu picture represented bythe first menu picture data is one of the first image data pieces or oneof the second image data pieces; a command to obtainreproduction-suspension point information representing a position atwhich reproduction of the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture is suspended; and a command todecide a position, at which reproduction of the second image data piecesshould be started, on the basis of the reproduction-suspension pointinformation in cases where the reproduced picture identifyinginformation indicates that the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture is one of the first image datapieces, and decide a position, at which reproduction of the first imagedata pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduction-suspension point information in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thesecond image data pieces.
 5. An image data recording apparatus asrecited in claim 1, further comprising: a first group generating sectionfor classifying the first image data pieces into groups according toattribute information pieces about the first image data pieces, and forgenerating first list files mentioning the first image data pieces inthe respective groups; a second group generating section for classifyingthe second image data pieces into groups according to the first listfiles, and for generating second list files mentioning the second imagedata pieces in the respective groups; wherein the recording sectionoperates for recording the first list files and the second list files onthe recording medium.
 6. An image data recording apparatus as recited inclaim 5, wherein the control information in the first menu picture datarepresents: a command to obtain reproduced picture identifyinginformation indicating whether an image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of a first menu picture represented by the first menupicture data is one of the first image data pieces or one of the secondimage data pieces; a command to obtain reproduced group identifyinginformation indicating a group having the image data piece reproducedbefore visualization of the first menu picture; and a command to decidea group, from which reproduction of the second image data pieces shouldbe started, on the basis of the reproduced group identifying informationin cases where the reproduced picture identifying information indicatesthat the image data piece reproduced before visualization of the firstmenu picture is one of the first image data pieces, and decide a group,from which reproduction of the first image data pieces should bestarted, on the basis of the reproduced group identifying information incases where the reproduced picture identifying information indicatesthat the image data piece reproduced before visualization of the firstmenu picture is one of the second image data pieces.
 7. An image datarecording apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the controlinformation in the first menu picture data represents a command to holdinformation indicating whether an image data piece, start ofreproduction of which is decided, is one of the first image data piecesor one of the second image data pieces.
 8. An image data recordingapparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the control information in thesecond menu picture data represents a command to start reproducing thefirst image data pieces or the second image data pieces from a desiredgroup.
 9. An image data recording apparatus as recited in claim 2,wherein the control information in the second menu picture datarepresents a command to hold information indicating whether an imagedata piece, start of reproduction of which is decided, is one of thefirst image data pieces or one of the second image data pieces.
 10. Animage data recording apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprisingan initial reproduction information generating section for generatinginitial reproduction information indicating whether the first image datapieces or the second image data pieces should be reproduced at the timeof reproduction of recorded data from the recording medium, and whereinthe recording section operates for recording the initial reproductioninformation generated by the initial reproduction information generatingsection on the recording medium.
 11. An image data reproducing apparatuscomprising: a reproducing section for reproducing first image datapieces, second image data pieces, and first menu picture data from arecording medium, the first menu picture data containing controlinformation designed to allow switching from reproduction of the firstimage data pieces to reproduction of the second image data pieces orswitching from reproduction of the second image data pieces toreproduction of the first image data pieces; a display section forindicating contents of the reproduced first image data pieces, contentsof the reproduced second image data pieces, and contents of thereproduced first menu picture data; a menu indication inputting sectionfor inputting a request to indicate a first menu picture represented bythe first menu picture data; a menu control inputting section forinputting a request to select one from segments of the controlinformation, contents of which are indicated by the display section, anda request to decide the selection of one from the segments; and areproduction controlling section for controlling the display section toindicate the contents of the control information in the first menupicture data in cases where the first image data pieces are reproducedand then the contents of the first menu picture data are indicated bythe display section in response to a request inputted via the menuindication inputting section, and for controlling the reproducingsection to reproduce the second image data pieces on the basis of thecontrol information in the first menu picture data in cases where one isselected from segments of the control information, contents of which areindicated by the display section, and the selection of one from thesegments is decided by requests inputted via the menu control inputtingsection; the reproduction controlling section operating for controllingthe display section to indicate the contents of the control informationin the first menu picture data in cases where the second image datapieces are reproduced and then the contents of the first menu picturedata are indicated by the display section in response to a requestinputted via the menu indication inputting section, and for controllingthe reproducing section to reproduce the first image data pieces on thebasis of the control information in the first menu picture data in caseswhere one is selected from segments of the control information, contentsof which are indicated by the display section, and the selection of onefrom the segments is decided by requests inputted via the menu controlinputting section.
 12. An image data reproducing apparatus as recited inclaim 11: wherein the reproducing section operates for reproducingsecond menu picture data from a recording medium, the second menupicture data containing control information designed to allow startingreproduction of the first image data pieces or the second image datapieces from a desired point or to allow selecting desired one from thefirst image data pieces or the second image data pieces and startingreproduction of the selected desired image data piece; wherein thedisplay section operates for indicating the reproduced second menupicture data; and wherein the reproduction controlling section operatesfor controlling the display section to indicate the contents of thesecond menu picture data in response to a request inputted via the menuindication inputting section, and for controlling the reproducingsection to start reproducing the first image data pieces or the secondimage data pieces on the basis of the control information in the secondmenu picture data in cases where one is selected from segments of thecontrol information in the second menu picture data, contents of whichare indicated by the display section, and the selection of one from thesegments is decided by requests inputted via the menu control inputtingsection.
 13. An image data reproducing apparatus as recited in claim 11:wherein the reproduction controlling section includes a memory andoperates for controlling the reproducing section to suspend reproductionof a current image data piece in response to a request inputted via themenu indication inputting section, for generating reproduced pictureidentifying information indicating whether an image data piecereproduced before visualization of a first menu picture represented bythe first menu picture data is one of the first image data pieces or oneof the second image data pieces, for generating reproduction-suspensionpoint information representing a position at which reproduction of theimage data piece reproduced before visualization of the first menupicture is suspended, and for recording the reproduced pictureidentifying information and the reproduction-suspension pointinformation into the memory; and wherein the reproduction controllingsection operates for obtaining the reproduced picture identifyinginformation and the reproduction-suspension point information from thememory in response to a request inputted via the menu control inputtingsection, for deciding a position, at which reproduction of the secondimage data pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduction-suspension point information in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thefirst image data pieces, for deciding a position, at which reproductionof the first image data pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduction-suspension point information in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thesecond image data pieces, and for controlling the reproducing section tostart reproduction from the decided position.
 14. An image datareproducing apparatus as recited in claim 11: wherein the reproducingsection operates for reproducing first list files and second list filesfrom the recording medium, the first list files corresponding to groupsrespectively, the second list files corresponding to the groupsrespectively; and wherein the reproduction controlling section operatesfor controlling the reproducing section to reproduce ones among thefirst image data pieces in a reproduction order and for reproductionintervals prescribed by at least one of the first list files, and forcontrolling the reproducing section to reproduce ones among the secondimage data pieces in a reproduction order and for reproduction intervalsprescribed by at least one of the second list files.
 15. An image datareproducing apparatus as recited in claim 14: wherein the reproductioncontrolling section includes a memory and operates for controlling thereproducing section to suspend reproduction of a current image datapiece in response to a request inputted via the menu indicationinputting section, for generating reproduced picture identifyinginformation indicating whether an image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of a first menu picture represented by the first menupicture data is one of the first image data pieces or one of the secondimage data pieces, and for recording the reproduced picture identifyinginformation into the memory; and wherein the reproduction controllingsection operates for obtaining the reproduced picture identifyinginformation from the memory in response to a request inputted via themenu control inputting section, for controlling the reproducing sectionto start reproducing the second image data pieces in the same group asthat having the image data piece reproduced before visualization of thefirst menu picture in cases where the reproduced picture identifyinginformation indicates that the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture is one of the first image datapieces, and for controlling the reproducing section to start reproducingthe first image data pieces in the same group as that having the imagedata piece reproduced before visualization of the first menu picture incases where the reproduced picture identifying information indicatesthat the image data piece reproduced before visualization of the firstmenu picture is one of the second image data pieces.
 16. An image datareproducing apparatus as recited in claim 11: wherein the reproductioncontrolling section includes a first memory and a second memory andoperates for controlling the reproducing section to suspend reproductionof a current image data piece in response to a request inputted via themenu indication inputting section, for generating reproduced pictureidentifying information indicating whether an image data piecereproduced before visualization of a first menu picture represented bythe first menu picture data is one of the first image data pieces or oneof the second image data pieces, for generating reproduction-suspensionpoint information representing a position at which reproduction of theimage data piece reproduced before visualization of the first menupicture is suspended, and for recording the reproduced pictureidentifying information and the reproduction-suspension pointinformation into the first memory; wherein the reproduction controllingsection operates for obtaining the reproduced picture identifyinginformation and the reproduction-suspension point information from thefirst memory in response to a request inputted via the menu controlinputting section, for deciding a position, at which reproduction of thesecond image data pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduction-suspension point information and recording informationindicative of start of reproduction of the second image data pieces intothe second memory in cases where the reproduced picture identifyinginformation indicates that the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture is one of the first image datapieces, for deciding a position, at which reproduction of the firstimage data pieces should be started, on the basis of thereproduction-suspension point information and recording informationindicative of start of reproduction of the first image data pieces intothe second memory in cases where the reproduced picture identifyinginformation indicates that the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture is one of the second image datapieces, and for controlling the reproducing section to startreproduction from the decided position; wherein the reproducing sectionoperates for reproducing second menu picture data from the recordingmedium, the second menu picture data containing control informationdesigned to allow starting reproduction of the first image data piecesor the second image data pieces from a desired point or to allowselecting desired one from the first image data pieces or the secondimage data pieces and starting reproduction of the selected desiredimage data piece; wherein the display section operates for indicatingcontents of the reproduced second menu picture data; and wherein thereproduction controlling section operates for, in response to a requestinputted via the menu indication inputting section, deciding whethercontents of the first menu picture data or the second menu picture datashould be indicated by the display section depending on the informationin the second memory.
 17. An image data reproducing apparatus as recitedin claim 16: wherein the reproducing section operates for reproducingfirst list files and second list files from the recording medium, thefirst list files corresponding to groups respectively, the second listfiles corresponding to the groups respectively; wherein the reproductioncontrolling section operates for controlling the reproducing section toreproduce ones among the first image data pieces in a reproduction orderand for reproduction intervals prescribed by at least one of the firstlist files, and for controlling the reproducing section to reproduceones among the second image data pieces in a reproduction order and forreproduction intervals prescribed by at least one of the second listfiles; wherein the reproduction controlling section operates forobtaining the reproduced picture identifying information from the firstmemory in response to a request inputted via the menu control inputtingsection, for controlling the reproducing section to start reproducingthe second image data pieces in the same group as that having the imagedata piece reproduced before visualization of the first menu picture incases where the reproduced picture identifying information indicatesthat the image data piece reproduced before visualization of the firstmenu picture is one of the first image data pieces, and for controllingthe reproducing section to start reproducing the first image data piecesin the same group as that having the image data piece reproduced beforevisualization of the first menu picture in cases where the reproducedpicture identifying information indicates that the image data piecereproduced before visualization of the first menu picture is one of thesecond image data pieces; wherein the reproduction controlling sectionoperates for controlling the display section to indicate contents of thesecond menu picture data in response to a request inputted via the menuindication inputting section; and wherein the reproduction controllingsection operates for controlling the reproducing section to startreproducing the first image data pieces or the second image data piecesin a desired group on the basis of the control information in the secondmenu picture data in cases where one is selected from segments of thecontrol information in the second menu picture data, contents of whichare indicated by the display section, and the selection of one from thesegments is decided by requests inputted via the menu control inputtingsection.
 18. An image data reproducing apparatus as recited in claim 17:wherein the reproduction controlling section includes a third memory andoperates for recording, into the third memory, information indicatingwhether an image data piece, start of reproduction of which is decided,is one of the first image data pieces or one of the second image datapieces when contents of the second menu picture data are indicated bythe display section; and wherein the reproduction controlling sectionoperates for, in response to a request inputted via the menu indicationinputting section, deciding whether contents of the first menu picturedata or the second menu picture data should be indicated by the displaysection depending on the information in the third memory.
 19. An imagedata reproducing apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein thereproducing section operates for reproducing initial reproductioninformation from the recording medium, and the reproduction controllingsection operates for controlling the display section to first indicatecontents of the first menu picture data or the second menu picture datain accordance with the reproduced initial reproduction information.